science

Glossary of entomology terms

Glossary of entomology terms is a science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Glossary of entomology terms rather than just read about it. In short: This glossary of entomology describes terms used in the formal study of insect species by entomologists. A–C abbreviate(d)(adjective) Of an organ or member: markedly or unexpectedly short in proportion to the rest of the body abdomenBody of the insect, toward the posterior of the thorax. abdominal feetSee proleg AcalyptrataSee Acalyptratae acanthusthornlike projection, typically a single-celled cuticular growth with…

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Reference excerpt

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

A–C

abbreviate(d)(adjective) Of an organ or member: markedly or unexpectedly short in proportion to the rest of the body

abdomenBody of the insect, toward the posterior of the thorax.

abdominal feetSee proleg

AcalyptrataSee Acalyptratae

acanthusthornlike projection, typically a single-celled cuticular growth without tormogen (socket) or sensory cells.

acaricideA chemical employed to kill and control mites and ticks.

acariphagousfeeding on mites (also refers to parasitoids of mites).

accessory glandAny secondary gland of the glandular system.

accessory pulsatile organs (APOs) Small muscular pumps and the veins that accompany them that pump hemolymph into the wings.

acetyl cholineAlternative spelling of "acetylcholine".

acrostichal bristlesThe two rows of hairs or bristles lying one on either side of the mid-line of the thorax of a true fly.

active spaceThe 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.

acuminateTapering to a long point.

acylureaA class of insect growth regulators.

adecticousOf pupa: the state in which the pupa does not possess movable mandibles, the opposite being decticous.

adipocytesA major cell type of insects that stores fat body and reserves nutrients.

admarginal(adjective): Along the margin.

aedeagusThe 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.

aestivationSummer dormancy, entered into when conditions are unfavourable for active life i.e. it is too hot or too dry.

age polyethismThe regular changing of roles of colony members as they get older.

air sacA dilated portion of a trachea.

alar squamaThe middle of three flap-like outgrowths at the base of the wing in various flies.

alary musclesMuscles along the dorsal diaphragm that may drive circulation.

alataThe parthenogenetic winged morph of vividae, specialized for migration.

alateWinged; 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.

alitrunkName given to the thorax plus propodeum of 'wasp-waisted' aculeate Hymenoptera The term is now dated, and seldom used, but it describes the apparent "thorax" of bees, wasps, and ants, which actually incorporates the first abdominal segment, which precedes the petiole.

AlloparentingWhen 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.

allopatricRefers to the state when two or more populations, such as different species, or forms of one species have essentially separate distributions. cf. sympatry, parapatric

alternating generationsWhen two generations are produced within a life cycle each producing individuals of only one sex, either male first and then female or vice versa.

altruisticSelf-destructive. or potentially self-destructive behavior performed for the benefit of others.

alulaA broad lobe at the proximal posterior margin of the wing stalk of Diptera. Also termed the axillary lobe.

ambrosiaThe fungus cultivated by wood-boring beetles of the family Scolytidae.

AmetabolaOriginally: The now obsolete subclass of Hexapoda that develop without clearly defined stages of metamorphosis, such as nymph, larva, pupa, adult; namely the Thysanura, Protura, Diplura, and Collembola. Also known as the Apterygota. Subsequently the others have been reclassified as separate from the Insecta, while the Thysanura have been split into the orders Archaeognatha and Zygentoma

amideCompound derived from carboxylic acids by replacing the hydroxyl of the -COOH by the amino group, -NH2-.

amineAn organic compound containing nitrogen, derived from ammonia, NH3, by replacing one or more hydrogen atoms by as many hydrocarbon radicals.

amino acidOrganic compounds that contain the amino (NH2) group and the carboxyl (COOH) group. Amino acids are the "building stones" of proteins.

ammoniaA colorless alkaline gas, NH3, soluble in water.

analPertaining to last abdominal segment which bears the anus.

anal angleThe posterior corner of the wing (same as tornus).

anal foldA fold in the inner margin of the hindwing.

anal valvesExposed claspers at the end of the abdomen.

anaplasmosisInfection with Anaplasma, a genus of Sporozoa that infests red blood cells.

anasa wiltA 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.

annulateFormed in ring-like segments or with ring-like markings.

anemicDeficient in blood quantity or quality.

anteclypeusthe lower (anterior) portion of the clypeus of insects.

antennaeThe 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.

antennationTouching with the antenna.

antenniferousBearing antennae, as in "antenniferous tubercle".

antennomereA 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.

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Illustrations

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Glossary of entomology terms

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Glossary of entomology terms claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Glossary of entomology terms before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Glossary of entomology terms ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Glossary of entomology terms

In research: Glossary of entomology terms appears in science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Glossary of entomology terms in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Glossary of entomology terms is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Entomology, Glossaries of zoology, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Glossary of entomology terms outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Glossary of entomology terms in simple terms?

This glossary of entomology describes terms used in the formal study of insect species by entomologists. A–C abbreviate(d)(adjective) Of an organ or member: markedly or unexpectedly short in proportion to the rest of the body abdomenBody of the insect, toward the posterior of the thorax. abdominal…

Why does Glossary of entomology terms matter?

Because it connects several science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Glossary of entomology terms?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

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It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Glossary of entomology terms.