Which family is commonly referred to as ichneumons?

Which family is commonly referred to as ichneumons?

• A. Satyridae
• B. Mutillidae
• C. Cynipidae
• D. Ichneumonidae

Answer: (D)

Ichneumonidae are the group people mean when they say ichneumons. These are a very large family of parasitoid wasps, and the term ichneumon has long been attached to them because their life cycle centers on parasitizing other insects. A female ichneumon often lays eggs in or on a host, and the wasp larvae develop by feeding on that host, sometimes entering hidden places like wood or plant stems. Many members have long ovipositors that can reach hosts inside tight spaces, which is a distinctive feature that reinforces the common name ichneumon wasps. The other groups listed aren’t referred to as ichneumons. Satyridae are butterflies, Mutillidae are velvet ants (a different kind of wasp), and Cynipidae are gall wasps that induce plant galls.

Ichneumonidae are the group people mean when they say ichneumons. These are a very large family of parasitoid wasps, and the term ichneumon has long been attached to them because their life cycle centers on parasitizing other insects. A female ichneumon often lays eggs in or on a host, and the wasp larvae develop by feeding on that host, sometimes entering hidden places like wood or plant stems. Many members have long ovipositors that can reach hosts inside tight spaces, which is a distinctive feature that reinforces the common name ichneumon wasps.

The other groups listed aren’t referred to as ichneumons. Satyridae are butterflies, Mutillidae are velvet ants (a different kind of wasp), and Cynipidae are gall wasps that induce plant galls.