ichneumon Synonyms
No Synonyms and anytonyms found
ichneumon Meaning
ichneumon (n)
northern African mongoose; in ancient times thought to devour crocodile eggs
ichneumon (n.)
Any carnivorous mammal of the genus Herpestes, and family Viverridae. Numerous species are found in Asia and Africa. The Egyptian species(H. ichneumon), which ranges to Spain and Palestine, is noted for destroying the eggs and young of the crocodile as well as various snakes and lizards, and hence was considered sacred by the ancient Egyptians. The common species of India (H. griseus), known as the mongoose, has similar habits and is often domesticated. It is noted for killing the cobra.
Any hymenopterous insect of the family Ichneumonidae, of which several thousand species are known, belonging to numerous genera.
ichneumon Sentence Examples
- The ichneumon wasp is a parasitic insect that lays its eggs inside the larvae of other insects.
- The ichneumon's long, needle-like ovipositor allows it to penetrate the host insect's exoskeleton.
- Once inside the host, the ichneumon larva feeds on the host's tissues, eventually killing it.
- Ichneumons are an important part of the natural ecosystem, as they help to control populations of other insects.
- The ichneumon's ability to search out and parasitize specific hosts is remarkable.
- Some ichneumons are known to use chemical cues to identify and track down their preferred hosts.
- Ichneumon wasps are found all over the world, in a wide variety of habitats.
- The ichneumon's name comes from the Greek word for "tracker."
- Ichneumons can be beneficial to humans, as they can help to reduce the damage caused by pests.
- However, some ichneumons can also be considered pests themselves, as they can parasitize beneficial insects.
FAQs About the word ichneumon
northern African mongoose; in ancient times thought to devour crocodile eggsAny carnivorous mammal of the genus Herpestes, and family Viverridae. Numerous speci
No synonyms found.
No antonyms found.
The ichneumon wasp is a parasitic insect that lays its eggs inside the larvae of other insects.
The ichneumon's long, needle-like ovipositor allows it to penetrate the host insect's exoskeleton.
Once inside the host, the ichneumon larva feeds on the host's tissues, eventually killing it.
Ichneumons are an important part of the natural ecosystem, as they help to control populations of other insects.
