Glossary of entomology terms

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Parts of an adult butterfly

This glossary of entomology describes terms used in the formal study of insect species by entomologists.

A–C

Staphylinidae
are markedly abbreviate.
abbreviate(d)
(adjective) Of an organ or member: markedly or unexpectedly short in proportion to the rest of the body
posterior
of the thorax.
abdominal feet
See proleg
Acalyptrata
See Acalyptratae
acanthus
thorn-like projection, typically a single-celled cuticular growth without tormogen (socket) or sensory cells.[1]
acaricide
A chemical employed to kill and control mites and ticks.
acariphagous
feeding on mites (also refers to parasitoids of mites).
accessory gland
Any secondary gland of the glandular system.
"Accessory gland" redirects here. For the accessory glands of the human male, see Male accessory gland.
accessory pulsatile organs (APOs)
Small muscular pumps and the veins that accompany them that pump hemolymph into the wings.
acetyl choline
Alternative spelling of "acetylcholine
".
acrostichal bristles
The two rows of hairs or bristles lying one on either side of the mid-line of the thorax of a true fly.
active space
The space within which the concentration of a pheromone or other behaviorally active substance is concentrated enough to generate the required response, remembering that like light and sound pheromones become more dilute the further they radiate out from their source.
aculeate
(Hymenoptera) Any member of a group of families that include the familiar stinging ants, bees, and social and hunting wasp.
acuminate
Tapering to a long point.
acylurea
A class of insect growth regulators.
adecticous
Of pupa: the state in which the pupa does not possess movable mandibles, the opposite being decticous.
adipocytes
A major cell type of insects that stores fat body and reserves nutrients.
admarginal
(adjective): Along the margin.
aedeagus
The sclerotized terminal portion of the male genital tract that is inserted into the female during insemination. Its shape is often important in separating closely related species.
aestivation
Summer dormancy, entered into when conditions are unfavourable for active life i.e. it is too hot or too dry.
age polyethism
The regular changing of roles of colony members as they get older.
air sac
A dilated portion of a trachea.
alar squama
The middle of three flap-like outgrowths at the base of the wing in various flies.
alary muscles
Muscles along the dorsal diaphragm that may drive circulation.
alata
The parthenogenetic winged morph of vividae, specialized for migration.
alate
Winged; having wings.
aldrin
A synthetic chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticide, toxic to vertebrates. Though its phytotoxicity is low, solvents in some formulations may damage certain crops. cf. the related Dieldrin, Endrin, Isodrin
algophagy
Feeding on algae.
alitrunk
Name given to the thorax and propodeum of 'wasp-waisted' hymenopterans.
Alloparenting
When individuals other than the parent assist in the caring for that parents offspring. Alloparenting takes many forms, including castes in social insects raising the offspring of reproductives, and slave ant workers feeding the larvae of the slaver species.
allopatric
Two or more forms of a species having essentially separate distributions.
alternating generations
When two generations are produced within a life cycle each producing individuals of only one sex, either male first and then female or vice versa.
altruistic
Self-destructive. or potentially self-destructive behavior performed for the benefit of others.
alula
A broad lobe at the proximal posterior margin of the wing stalk of Diptera. Also termed the axillary lobe.
ambrosia
The fungus cultivated by wood-boring beetles of the family Scolytidae.
ametabola
Hexapods which develop without metamorphosis; namely the Protura, Thysanura, and Collembola.
amide
Compound derived from carboxylic acids by replacing the hydroxyl of the -COOH by the amino group, -NH2-.
amine
An organic compound containing nitrogen, derived from ammonia, NH3, by replacing one or more hydrogen atoms by as many hydrocarbon radicals.
amino acid
Organic compounds that contain the amino (NH2) group and the carboxyl (COOH) group. Amino acids are the "building stones" of proteins.
ammonia
A colorless alkaline gas, NH3, soluble in water.
anal
Pertaining to last abdominal segment which bears the anus.
anal angle
The posterior corner of the wing (same as tornus).
anal fold
A fold in the inner margin of the hindwing.
anal valves
Exposed claspers at the end of the abdomen.
anaplasmosis
Infection with Anaplasma, a genus of Sporozoa that infests red blood cells.
anasa wilt
A wilt disease of cucurbits caused solely by the feeding of the squash bug, no parasitic microorganism involved.
androconia
(singula = Androconium) In male butterflies, specialised wing scales (often called scent scales) possessing special glands which produce a chemical attractive to females.
androconium
or androconia (plural)
Specialised microscopic scales on the wings of male butterflies, believed to be scent scales for attracting the female.
annulate
Formed in ring-like segments or with ring-like markings.
Butterfly antennae shapes
anemic
Deficient in blood quantity or quality.
anteclypeus
the lower (anterior) portion of the clypeus of insects.
antennae
The long feelers situated on the head and close to the eyes. They are however not tactile but used for detecting airborne scents and currents.
  • In Papilionoidea the antennae end in bulging tips called clubs.
  • In
    Hesperioidea
    they have hooked tips and the club is found just before the tip.
  • In some Lycaenidae like the genus Liphyra the antenna tapers gradually.
antennation
Touching with the antenna.
antenniferous
Bearing antennae, as in "antenniferous tubercle".
antennomere
A segment of an antenna. The term antennomere is used in particular when the segments are fairly uniform, as in filiform
antennae, but it also may be used in referring to segments of odd sizes, shapes and functions, such as the scape and pedicel. More specific terms may be used where there are distinct antennal regions; for example flagellomeres are the antennomeres comprising the flagellum.
anterior
in front of or after the aforementioned structure.
antenodal veins
Small cross-veins at the front of the dragonfly or damselfly wing, between the wing base and the nodus.
anthophagy
feeding on flowers.
antibiosis
An association between two or more organisms that is detrimental to one or more of them.
anticoagulin
A substance antagonistic to the coagulation of blood.
anus
The posterior opening of the digestive tract.
apex / apical area
The anterior corner of the wing.
apical cell
The first posterior cell in the wing of Diptera. It is the space between the third and fourth longitudinal vein beyond the anterior crossvein (R5).
aphidophagy
feeding on aphids (and parasitoids of aphids).
apitherapy
Medicinal use of the honey bee or its products.
arculus
A crossvein between the radius and cubitus near the base of the wing in certain insects.
areola
1.  A small ring of color
2.  In crayfish, the hourglass pattern on the dorsal surface of the cephalothorax
[2]
arolium
A pad-like median lobe between the tarsal claws.
base / basal area of wing
Region close to the point of attachment to the thorax.
basal streak (Noctuidae)
also basal dash — a typically short and broad line at the mid-basal area of the forewing of noctuid moths.See figures 4, 5
brand
Raised area on the wing surface, circular, ovate, or elongated, which is covered with special scent scales or androconia, found in males of some species. Also called sex mark.
bryophagy
feeding on moss.
Distinction between clavate and capitate anatomy of insect antennae
capitate
Mainly referring to antennae, but occasionally to other anatomical features such as palps: having a clubbed shape with a relatively long, slender stem, but with an abruptly bulkier, thicker, possibly globular distal head, the capitulum. The term capitate is not strictly distinguished from clavate, but where a distinction is desired, it is that the club of a capitate antenna is abruptly distinct from the shaft, and the head tends to be short and more or less globular. The club of a clavate antenna generally is a more or less tapered thickening, sometimes hardly distinct from the shaft.
capitulum
The head of a capitate structure, such as a capitate antenna, or of a capitate
haltere
carina
a keel-like elevation (or ridge) on the body-wall of an insect.
carpophagy
feeding on fruits and seeds.
catenulate
Markings consisting of rings connected together like a chain.
  • catenulated antennae
    Antennae with ringed appearance.
cell
The central area surrounded by veins. It can be closed by veins or open.
  • The vein forming the boundary of the cell along the costal margin is known as the subcostal vein q.v.
  • The vein forming the lower boundary towards the dorsum is called the median vein.
  • In the case of butterflies, the cell is closed by a vein connecting the origins of veins 6 to 4 along the top of the cell which is known as discocellular vein.
cell cup
Taxonomically important term used in Diptera identification keys. Part of the schema of wing venation. Also called the posterior cubital cell and often called the anal cell. see File:Phytomyzinae wing veins-1.svg
central shade or median shade
Taxonomically important term used in moth description. It is a transverse band in the median area of the wing. See figures 4, 5
ceratophagy (Also spelled keratophagy)
feeding on cornified tissues and hair of animals.
cervix
(Anatomical feature) the structure defining the neck of the insect.
chaeta
See Seta.
chaetosema
patch of sensory bristles.
chalaza
An external spine that has a single point. Etymology: Greek chalasa, a tubercle. cf. scolus, which has multiple points.
cheta
See Seta.
cilia
Fine hairs along the edges of the wing.
clasper or clasp
A structure in male insects that is used to hold the female during copulation.
Clavate antenna of a beetle in the family Erotylidae. In this specimen the clavus comprises three segments
clava
Same as clavus.
clavate
Mainly referring to antennae, but occasionally to other anatomical features such as palps: having a clubbed shape with a relatively long, slender stem, but with a bulkier, thicker distal end, the clava. The term clavate is not strictly distinguished from capitate, but in general, where a distinction is desired, the club of a capitate antenna is abruptly distinct, even globular, whereas the club of a clavate antennae is generally a more or less tapered thickening
claviform stigma
specifically, in Noctuidae (moths)- an elongate spot or mark extending from the anterior transverse anterior line through the submedian interspace, toward and sometimes to the posterior transverse line.See figures 4, 5
clavola
Same as clavus or club
clavus
1.  The thicker distal end of a clavate anatomical structure such as an antenna. Usually comprising more than one joint. Also called clava, clavola, or club
2.  The posterior of the portion of the remigium found on insect wings.
3.  The oblong sclerite at the base of the
hemelytron in Heteroptera
.
4.  The knob at the end of the stigmal or radial veins in the wings of certain Hymenoptera.
club
The popular (possibly to be preferred) name for the clavus of a clavate antenna.
clypeus
(Anatomical feature) a sclerite structure below the frons, circumposed by the mandibles and above the labrum.
coccidophagy
feeding on scale insects (and parasitoids of scale insects).
Terms associated with the wings
compound eye
An eye consisting of a large number of individual photoreceptor units or ommatidia (ommatidium, singular).Figure 2 d below
connexivum or connexiva (plural)
(largely in Heteroptera and similarly dorsoventrally flattened insects) the edge of the abdomen, containing the connection between the tergite and sternite. May be visible from above in species such as many of the Reduviidae.
copromycetophagy
inhabiting feces and consuming mycetes growing inside or cultivating them for feeding.
coprophagy
feeding on the excrements of animals.
costa / costal area
The leading edge of the wing.
costal break
Taxonomically important term used in Diptera identification keys. Part of the schema of wing venation. weakenings of the costa (one to three in number). They are flexing points for the wings during flight
costal fold
A fold in the leading edge of the forewing of Lepidoptera, containing androconia.
coronal suture
(Anatomical feature) an anterior suture line of the head between the compound eyes, below the median ocellus.
coxa
first leg segment, between body and trochanter.
Cremaster of pupa of the oak owl moth, Griposia aprilina
cremaster
A general term for a structure by which an object hangs (from Greek language kremastos, meaning "hung up"); for example in entomology:
in some Lepidoptera, including most butterflies, the pupa attaches to a surface by the cremaster, a structure at the tip of the pupal abdomen. The cremaster is the homologue of the anal plate of the caterpillar. It takes various forms in different species, ranging from a simple point, to various arrangements of hooks that catch Velcro-like in a silken pad that the caterpillar spins on the surface before it enters the prepupal phase.
crenulate
Adjective = scalloped. Describes the outer edge of a wing that is convex at the end of each vein and concave in between.
cuneus
Noun =
hemelytra
(forewings), located at the apex of the thick, leathery part of the wings.

D–F

decticous
Functional mandibles present in pupal state.
dendrophagy
feeding on trees.
dentate
As for crenulate but with the projections at the end of each wing being toothlike.
detritophagy
feeding on ground remains of plants and animals.
dieldrin
A synthetic chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticide, toxic to vertebrates. cf. the related Aldrin, Endrin, Isodrin
disc / discal area
The central band passing through the cell.
discoidal cell
In damselflies (
wing venation
, which is delimited by veins MA (anterior side), MP (posterior side), MAb (distal side) and the arculus (basal side).
dorsum
/ dorsal area
The trailing edge or hind-margin of the wing, extending from the base to the tornus. Dorsal alternately, also refers to the back, i.e. the upper part of the body, from above.
ectognathous
(Anatomical feature) having exterior mouthparts, or exposed. A defining feature of insects.
elytron
(Anatomical feature) the modified, hardened forewing of certain insect orders, notably beetles (Coleoptera) and some of the true bugs (Hemiptera).
Cerambycidae
with conspicuous emargination of the compound eye (black) where it extends partway round the base of the antenna
emarginate
(Anatomical feature) Describing a margin, such as the edge of an eye or sclerite, where the outline includes a concave section as if a part of the region had been "cut out" or displaced. It might take the form of a notch, or a rounded or possibly quadrate hollow, such as where a compound eye is distorted in fitting around the base of the antenna.
empodium
(Anatomical feature) either a bristle-like or pad-like structure between the tarsal claws of various insects, notably Diptera.
encapsulation
the immuno response by plasmatocytes to the presence of parasitoid egg or larvae which results in the formation of a multilayered capsule that causes the parasitoid to sufficate or starve.
Endrin
A synthetic chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticide, toxic to vertebrates. Though its phytotoxicity is low, solvents in some formulations may damage certain crops. cf. the related Dieldrin, Aldrin, Isodrin
entomonecrophagy
feeding on dead arthropods.
entomophagy
feeding on other insects.
epicranius
(Anatomical feature) the top of the anterior structure of the head, or forehead.
caudal filament resembling the two cerci that flank it. In the Odonata epiprocts have various functions, both in larvae, in which they may have respiratory roles, and in adults, in which they may have reproductive roles. Not all epiprocts in all insect species are homologous. Note that the term is used in other groups than insects as well, for instance Myriapoda
.
erect
The palpi when vertical, i.e. the axis of the palpi is at right angles to the axis of the body.
exarate
Pupae with their legs and other appendages free and extended.
Larva of a species in the family Sphingidae. The large eyespots on the back have no function concerning vision at all; when threatened, the caterpillar retracts its head, leaving the spots resembling either a threat, or as a more tempting target than the vulnerable head. The stemmata are visible as an arc of about four tiny spots slightly lateral to, and above the mouthparts. They are inconspicuous and do have a visual function.
eyespots
1.  Spots or other patterns resembling vertebrate eyes on the skin, such as on larvae of some Sphingidae or the wings of moths such as many Saturniidae. Such eyespots have no visual function, but act variously to misdirect or discourage attacks from predators.
2.  Simple eyes such as ocelli or stemmata
face
the area between the base of antennae, oral margin, eyes and cheeks (gena). See figure 3.
fascia (plural fasciae)
A color pattern with a broad band.
femur
third leg segment, between trochanter and tibia.
flagellomere
an antennomere comprising part of the flagellum.
flagellum
the part of the antenna distal to the pedicel composed of one or more segments, called flagellomeres.
foramen magnum
(Anatomical feature) the posterior opening of the head capsule, covered by the cervix.
forewing
(Anatomical feature) the pair of wings of a four-winged insect closest to the head.
frons
(Anatomical feature) The frontal area of an insect's head. It covers the upper part of the face above the clypeus and below and between the antennae