Chelonus

noun

Che·​lo·​nus

kəˈlōnəs

: a genus of small ichneumon wasps (family Braconidae) parasitic on various lepidopterous larvae and introduced in many regions in attempts at biological control of plant-eating larvae

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, masculine noun formed on the basis of Greek chelṓnē "tortoise"; so named because the abdomen lacks segments, appearing to form a solid piece like a turtle's shell

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