cicada killer
Definition
- Noun:
- A large black or rust-colored wasp that preys on cicadas: A "cicada killer" is a type of solitary wasp known for hunting cicadas to use as food for its larvae.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- A cicada killer wasp was digging a burrow in the sandy soil.
- Despite their intimidating size, cicada killers are generally not aggressive toward humans.
- The cicada killer paralyzes its prey before carrying it back to its nest.
Advanced Usage
- Ecological role: The term is used in entomology and ecology to describe a specific predator-prey relationship within an ecosystem.
- The presence of cicada killers can help control local cicada populations.
Variants and Related Words
- Sphecius speciosus: The scientific name for the most common North American species of cicada killer.
- Solitary wasp: A broader category to which the cicada killer belongs, distinguishing it from social wasps like hornets.
Synonyms
- Digger wasp: A general term for wasps that dig nesting burrows, which includes cicada killers.
- Hunting wasp: A descriptive term for wasps that actively hunt other insects.
Related Phrases
- Cicada killer wasp: The full, most common form of the term.
- The cicada killer wasp is a fascinating example of specialized insect behavior.
Noun
-
large black or rust-colored wasp that preys on cicadas
Khám phá thêm
Các từ liên quan
Từ đồng nghĩa
