chalcid wasp
- noun
- /ˈkæl.sɪd wɑːsp/
- Specialized
:
avispa chalcid
- The chalcid wasp lays its eggs inside the larvae of pest insects, helping to control their populations naturally.
Examples
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Farmers encourage the presence of chalcid wasps in their fields as a form of biological pest control.
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A single chalcid wasp can parasitize multiple insect eggs during its lifetime.
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The chalcid wasp is known for its role in pest control.
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Did you know that a chalcid wasp can help reduce aphid populations?
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Farmers encourage the presence of chalcid wasps in their fields as a form of biological pest control.
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The chalcid wasp lays its eggs inside the larvae of pest insects, helping to control their populations naturally.
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A single chalcid wasp can parasitize multiple insect eggs during its lifetime.
Synonyms
A tiny wasp that lays eggs in other insect eggs or young insects and helps control pests
A very small wasp-like insect whose young live inside and eat other insects' eggs or baby insects
A very small wasp that lays eggs in other insects' eggs or young and helps control pests
A small wasp that lays eggs inside other insects so its young eat them
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound 'chalcid wasp' is compositionally transparent: 'chalcid' names a type of wasp and combining it with 'wasp' straightforwardly yields 'a wasp belonging to the chalcid group.' Although the term is somewhat technical/taxonomic, its meaning follows a regular noun+noun compounding pattern common across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would understand it.
Etymology
Chalcid wasp comes from the Greek word chalcid meaning 'copper' or 'bronze', because many of these tiny wasps have a shiny, metal-like color. These wasps lay their eggs inside other insects and help control harmful pests, so the small shiny image makes the name easier to remember.
