ichneumon fly

[ ik-noo-muh n-flahy, ‐nyoo‐ ]

/ ɪkˈnu mənˌflaɪ, ‐ˈnyu‐ /

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

Origin of ichneumon fly

First recorded in 1705–15

She lets loose an army of worms upon the forests, and then sends an ichneumon-fly to check them.

Under the Maples |John Burroughs
A large Ichneumon-fly has been found hunting after the worms, and is considered their natural enemy.

American Pomology |J. A. Warder
The ichneumon-fly lays eggs under the skin of the caterpillar.

The Churches and Modern Thought |Philip Vivian
What of the infinite goodness of God in teaching the grub of the ichneumon-fly to eat up the cabbage caterpillar alive?

God and my Neighbour |Robert Blatchford

The ichneumon-fly lays its eggs under the skin of the caterpillar.

God and my Neighbour |Robert Blatchford

ichneumon fly

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