Ichneumonid
- Pronunciation
- /ih-KNEE-mon-id/
- Category
- Taxonomy
- Singular
- Ichneumonid
- Plural
- Ichneumonids
Definition
A family of parasitic wasps characterized by their slender bodies and often long, slender ovipositors used for laying eggs inside or on other insects.
Etymology
From Greek 'ichneumon', meaning 'tracker', due to their method of tracking hosts to lay their eggs.
Example
The Ichneumonid wasp is a common parasitoid of many insect species.
Related Terms
Usage Notes
Ichneumonids are a diverse group of wasps with many species exhibiting complex life cycles and host specificity.