ichneumon fly

American  

[ik-noo-muhn-flahy, ‐-nyoo‐] / ɪkˈnu mənˌflaɪ, ‐ˈnyu‐ /

Or ichneumonfly

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 British  

noun

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

---

Etymology

Origin of ichneumon fly

First recorded in 1705–15

Example Sentences

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 Butterflies and Moths (British) by Furneaux, William S.

So first he sneaked in here and put an ichneumon fly in my breeding-cage.

From Police!!! by Hutt, Henry

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 A Guide for the Study of Animals by Lucas, Frederic

There are two species of spiders and a species of ichneumon fly that destroy them.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 803, May 23, 1891 by Various

"It's my belief," shouted Quint, "that you want that medal yourself, and that you put an ichneumon fly in my breeding-cage in hopes it would sting the eggs of the Silver Moon."

From Police!!! by Hutt, Henry