ichneumon fly

or ich·neu·mon·fly

[ ik-noo-muhn-flahy, ‐-nyoo‐ ]

noun

1. any of numerous wasplike insects of the family Ichneumonidae, the larvae of which are parasitic on caterpillars and immature stages of other insects.

ichneumon fly

noun

1. any hymenopterous insect of the family Ichneumonidae, whose larvae are parasitic in caterpillars and other insect larvae

Word History and Origins

Origin of ichneumon fly¹

First recorded in 1705–15

Example Sentences

To-morrow I shall look very hard for an ichneumon fly for you——" "But your discovery will make you famous, Miss Cassillis——" "Why—why, it's for you that I am going to search so hard!

From Project Gutenberg

Oh, yes; along comes the ichneumon fly and by a skillful blow on the spine paralyzes him and then thrusts under his skin an egg to be warmed into life by its departing heat.

From Project Gutenberg

The numerous small worm-like creatures often found are the caterpillar stages of another insect, an ichneumon fly, which laid its eggs under the skin of the tussock caterpillar.

From Project Gutenberg

Many of the insect-feeding birds commit fearful havoc among their larv�, and often chase the perfect insects on the wing, but perhaps their greatest enemy is the ichneumon fly.

From Project Gutenberg

Next year there will come up new ichneumon flies to sting fresh caterpillars and repeat the entire process.

From Project Gutenberg