noun
- Plural of ichneumon; small to medium-sized parasitic wasps that lay eggs in or on the bodies of other insects, whose larvae feed on the host.
- Plural of ichneumon; a mongoose-like carnivorous mammal native to Africa and Asia, historically valued for killing snakes and rodents.
Usage: entomology; scientific
Usage: zoology; less common in modern usage
Examples
- Ichneumons are important natural pest controllers in agriculture.
- The farmer appreciated the ichneumons that hunted rats in the grain storage.
- Entomologists study ichneumons to understand parasitoid behavior.
- Several species of ichneumons have been introduced to control invasive insect pests.
- Ancient Egyptians revered ichneumons for their ability to kill venomous snakes.