aphidiinae
|a-phi-di-i-nae|
/ˌæfɪˈdiːniː/
wasp subfamily parasitic on aphids
Etymology
'aphidiinae' originates from New Latin/Modern Latin, specifically formed from 'Aphid-' (from Greek 'aphis' meaning 'aphid') plus the taxonomic suffix '-inae' indicating a subfamily.
'aphis' (Greek) → Latin/English 'aphid' → New Latin formation 'Aphidiinae' used in zoological taxonomy, eventually stabilized as the modern taxonomic name 'Aphidiinae'.
Initially it referred to things 'relating to aphids' (from the root meaning 'aphid'), but over time it evolved into its current technical meaning as 'the subfamily of parasitoid wasps that attack aphids'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a subfamily (Aphidiinae) of braconid wasps (family Braconidae) that are parasitoids of aphids; many species are used as biological control agents against aphid pests.
Aphidiinae are important biological control agents of aphid pests in many agricultural systems.
Last updated: 2025/09/16 09:38