any of numerous small flies of the family Chalcididae, often having bright metallic coloration, the larvae of which are chiefly parasitic on various stages of other insects
Also called: chalcid (ˈkælsɪd), chalcid fly, chalcid wasp
Word origin
[1890–95; ‹ Gk chalk(ós) copper, brass (with allusion to the coloration) + -id2 + fly2]