What is "lernaea"

Lernaea \Ler*n[ae]"a\ (l[~e]r*n[=e]"[.a]), n. [NL., fr. L. Lernaeus Lern[ae]an, fr. Lerna, Gr. Le`rnh, a forest and marsh near Argos, the mythological abode of the hydra.] (Zo["o]l.) A Linn[ae]an genus of parasitic Entomostraca, -- the same as the family Lern[ae]id[ae].

Note: The genus is restricted by modern zo["o]logists to a limited number of species similar to Lern[ae]a branchialis found on the gills of the cod.

Lernaea (also incorrectly spelled Lernea) is a genus of copepod crustaceans commonly called anchor worms, parasitic on freshwater fishes. They mate during the last free-swimming (copepodid) stage of development. After mating, the female burrows into the flesh of a fish and transforms into an unsegmented, wormlike form, usually with a portion hanging from the fish's body.