How has the parasitic plant Cuscuta evolved?

Step-by-step solution

Parasites that feed on the external surface of the host organism are called ectoparasites. The most familiar examples of this group are the lice on humans and ticks on dogs. Many marine fish are infested with ectoparasitic copepods. Cuscuta, a parasitic plant that is commonly found growing on hedge plants, has lost its chlorophyll and leaves in the course of evolution . It derives its nutrition from the host plant which it parasitises. The female mosquito is not considered a parasite, although it needs our blood fo