| abdomen |
The body part of an insect which is in the back behind the thorax. |
| antennae |
The sensory appendages, one on each side of an insects head, which are sometimes called "feelers". |
| brood |
Individual insects that hatch from the same mother at approximately the same time. |
| brood cells |
The individual chambers in a hive where the egg is laid and the larva develop. |
| caterpillar |
The larval stage of a butterfly or moth. |
| cercus |
A sensory appendage at the end of an insect sometimes modified to grasp. |
| chrysalis |
The pupa or resting stage of a butterfly. |
| drones |
The reproductive male among social bees and ants. |
| elytron |
A front wing of an insect which is thickened and serves as protection. |
| femora |
The upper part of an insects leg, which is attached to its body. |
| filaments |
A very thin structure protruding from the body of an insect. |
| gall |
An abnormal growth of plant tissue caused by the presence of an insect or other foreign organism. |
| honeypot |
The individual chambers in a hive where the honey is stored. |
| larva |
The immature stage of an insect that undergoes complete metamorphosis. |
| mandibles |
The upper jaws of an insect. |
| metamorphosis |
The change from egg to adult. Incomplete metamorphosis has three stages: egg, nymph, and adult. Complete metamorphosis has four stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. |
| mimic |
To resemble something else closely, for example to resemble another insect. |
| nymph |
The immature stage of an insect that undergoes incomplete metamorphosis. |
| ovipositor |
An appendage extending from the back end or underneath an insect used for depositing eggs. |
| petiole |
A narrow stem that connects the abdomen and thorax in an ant and other Hymenoptera. |
| pollinator |
an agent often an insect that carries pollen from the stamen of one flower to the stigma of another flower to produce a seed. |
| predacious |
Attacking and feeding on an animal by another animal. |
| prothorax |
The first segment of the three segments of the thorax, which supports the head and first pair of legs. |
| queen |
The reproductive female among social bees and ants. |
| scent pouch |
A small sac on a butterfly or other insect from which an odor is released. |
| signature |
A defining characteristic. |
| thorax |
The middle part of the three body parts of an insect which supports the legs and wings. |
| tubercle |
A small raised area on a caterpillar which often has a bristle or other projection arising from it. |
| tympanum |
A vibrating membrane which is the ear of an insect. |
