pompilid

/ ˈpɒmpɪlɪd /

noun

1. another name for the spider-hunting wasp

Word History and Origins

Origin of pompilid¹

C20: from New Latin pompilus, from Greek pompilos a fish that accompanies ships, from pempein to send, escort

Example Sentences

Pompilid Spider Wasps catch and paralyse their pray, laying eggs on their bodies for their larvae to feed upon when they hatch.

Read more on Children's BBC

The tarantulas may be baby-eaters and sibling eaters and husband-killers, but the truly ghastly actor in this story is the Pompilid or Sphecid wasp, a spider's worst enemy.

Read more on Slate

Spī′derling, a young spider; Spī′der-mon′key, an American platyrrine monkey, with long slender legs and tail; Spī′der-stitch, a stitch in lace or netting in which threads are carried diagonally and parallel to each other; Spī′der-wasp, a pompilid wasp which fills its nest with spiders for its young; Spī′der-web, the snare spun by the spider; Spī′der-wheel, in embroidery, a circular pattern with radiating lines; Spī′der-work, lace worked by spider-stitch; Spī′der-wort, any plant of the genus Tradescantia, esp.

Read more on Project Gutenberg