noun
hymenopterous insect that resembles a wasp and whose larvae are parasitic on caterpillars and other insect larvae
• Hypernyms: ↑hymenopterous insect, ↑hymenopteran, ↑hymenopteron, ↑hymenopter
• Member Holonyms: ↑Ichneumonidae, ↑family Ichneumonidae
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noun : any of a large superfamily (Ichneumonoidea) of hymenopterous insects that have many-jointed antennae, fore wings with a usually triangular stigma, petiolate abdomen, and in the female a commonly long sheathed ovipositor for use on other insect larvae (as caterpillars) which the larval ichneumon fly burrows in and feeds on and ultimately kills thereby constituting an important natural check on many destructive insects
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any of numerous wasplike insects of the family Ichneumonidae, the larvae of which are parasitic on caterpillars and immature stages of other insects.
Also, ichneumonfly.
[1705-15]
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ichneumon fly,
a four-winged insect, related to bees and wasps, that does not sting. Its larvae live as parasites in or on caterpillars, other insects, and spiders, usually killing them.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.