page_title: Glossary of entomology terms
section_title: A–C
hierarchical_section_title: Glossary of entomology terms / A–C
caption_attribution_description: Griposia aprilina Deutsch: Kremaster der Puppe der Grünen Eicheneule (Griposia aprilina). English: Cremaster of the pupa of the Merveille-du-Jour (Griposia aprilina).
context_page_description: This glossary of entomology describes terms used in the formal study of insect species by entomologists.
context_section_description: abdomen
  Body of the insect, toward the posterior of the thorax.
  acanthus
  thorn-like projection, typically a single-celled cuticular growth without tormogen (socket) or sensory cells.
  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 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 perform circulation.
  alata
  the parthenogenetic winged morph of vividae, specialized for migration.
  alate
  Winged; having wings.
  aldrin
  (common name). A synthetic insecticide; a chlorinated hydrocarbon of not less than 95 per cent 1,2,3,4,10,10-hexachloro-1,4,4a,5,8,8a-hexahydro-1,4:5,8-dimethanonaphthalene; moderately toxic to mammals, acute oral LD,, for rats 44 mg/kg; phytotoxicity: none when properly formulated, but some crops are sensitive to solvents in certain formulations.
  algophagy 
  feeding on algae.
  aliphatic
  A term applied to the "open chain" or fatty series of hydrocarbons.
  alitrunk
  Name given to the thorax and propodeum of 'wasp-waisted' hymenopterans.
  alloparental
  When individuals other than the parent assist in the caring for that parents offspring.
  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
  The insects 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 val
caption: Cremaster of pupa of the oak owl moth, Griposia aprilina
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