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Stizidae

Stizidae

9.9
Large wasps that live alone and catch cicadas to feed their young
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Stizidae
  • The Stizidae family includes several species of wasps renowned for preying on cicadas.

Examples

  • Researchers observed that Stizidae construct underground burrows for their larvae.

  • Farmers often welcome the presence of Stizidae since they control cicada populations.

  • The Stizidae family includes many species of wasps.

  • Did you know that Stizidae are known as cicada killers?

  • Farmers often welcome the presence of Stizidae since they control cicada populations.

  • Researchers observed that Stizidae construct underground burrows for their larvae.

  • The Stizidae family includes several species of wasps renowned for preying on cicadas.

Synonyms

family Stizidae
vsStizidae
  • Specialized
9.9

Large wasps that live alone and hunt cicadas

has identical meaning but uses the shorter scientific label
cicada killer
vsStizidae
  • US
9.5

A large wasp that hunts cicadas

refers to the whole group of related wasps rather than one species

Compounds

family Stizidae
  • Specialized
9.9

Large wasps that live alone and hunt cicadas

Surface Forms

Stizidae singular
Stizidaes plural

Morphology

Stizidae = Stizus (opaque) = stiz + idae

This is a scientific taxonomic family name formed with the specialised suffix '-idae'; the components are not informative to average learners.

Etymology

Stizidae comes from the genus Stizus, which goes back to a Greek root stiz- meaning 'to prick' or 'to pierce'. So the name fits these wasps, which stab and carry cicadas to their underground burrows to feed their young.