Pteromalidae

plural noun

Pter·​o·​mal·​i·​dae
ˌterəˈmaləˌdē
: a large family of chalcid flies having larvae that are parasitic on the larvae of other insects (as of the orders Lepidoptera and Coleoptera) and some that are hyperparasites

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Pteromalus, type genus (from pter- + Greek homalos even, level) + -idae; akin to Greek homos same

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Cite this Entry

“Pteromalidae.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Pteromalidae. Accessed 7 Jan. 2025.

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