Select the first letter of the word from the list above to jump to appropriate section of the glossary.
Abdominal festoons
In ticks (Acari), the rectangular areas divided
by grooves along the posterior abdominal margin.
Accessory vein
An extra branch of a longitudinal
vein; in Hymenoptera, the most posterior vein in the anal area of the front wing.
Adenitis
Inflammation of 1 or more lymph nodes.
Adult
The fully grown, sexually mature
arthropod.
Aestivate
To go into a quiescence or resting period as a
result of continued high temperature or dry conditions.
Alate
Winged form; possessing wings.
Allergic reaction
A hypersensitivity to foreign proteins,
developed only after an initial exposure.
Ametabolis
Having no metamorphosis.
Ampullae
In beetle (Coleoplera) larvae, the paired
ventral proleglike protuberances on abdominal segments of some species.
Anal groove
In ticks (Acari), a groove which either is in
front of or behind the anal opening.
Anal lobe
A lobe on the posterior part or rear margin of
the wing.
Anal plate/shield
In mites (Acari), the ventral
rear/posterior scierotized/hardened plate/shield surrounding the anal opening.
Anaphylactic shock
A collapse of circulatory function resulting
from a generalized total body allergic reaction caused mostly by insect stings, spider
bites, ingested foods, and drugs; a life-threatening condition.
Annulate
Appears to consist of or to be subdivided into
ringlike segments; ringed; surrounded by ring of a different color.
Antenna (pl. antennae)
The paired, segmented feelerlike sensory organs
located on the head above the mouthparts.
Anterior
Front, in front, before.
Anticostal suture
In insect larvae, the transverse line/groove
near the front margin of the segment on the dorsal/top surface.
Aorta
Anterior portion of heart (dorsal vessel),
lacking lateral openings or ostia.
Aperature
In snails (Geophila), the shell opening.
Aperature lip
In snails (Geophila), the edge of the shell
opening.
Aphid
A member of the insect order Homoptera, family
Aphididae, characterized by being soft-bodied and nearly always with a pair of cornices
(tubular structures) near the posterior/rear end of the abdomen; commonly called
plantlice.
Arolium (pl. arolia)
In insects, the terminal pad between or pads
under each claw of the pretarsus.
Arthropod
Any segmented invertebrate of the phylum
Arthropoda, having jointed legs.
Asperites
In beetle (Colsoptera) larvae, the condition
where the surface is covered with short toothlike structures.
Asymmetrical
Not symmetrical (evenly developed on both
sides).
Band
A transverse marking different in color
from the background color, may completely ring a structure such as the tibia.
Basal cell
In adult flies (Diptera), the elongate cell
behind the radial or medial veins located in the basal half of the wing.
Basement membrane
The thin, acellular, innermost layer of the
exoskeleton.
Basis capituli
In ticks (Acari), the base for the mouthparts.
Beak
Any notable prolongation of the front of the
head; a snout.
Bicolored
Of two (2) different colors.
Bilateral symmetry
The left and right sides are essentially
similar.
Booklungs
In spiders (Araneae), the internal breathing
structures located inside the abdominal venter with slitlike openings to the outside.
Bristle
A stiff, usually short and blunt, hairlike
projection.
Broadleaf tree
A tree which in general has wide/broad leaves
(vs. needlelike) and is usually deciduous, shedding its leaves seasonally and being
leafless for part of the year; hardwoods.
Brood
All individuals that hatch about the same time
from eggs laid by one series of parents; in social insects, the immature members of the
colony collectively, including eggs, nymphs, larvae, and pupae; in birds (Aves), the
number of young produced or hatched at one time.
Budding
The process in which reproductives or potential
reproductives, workers, and certain immature leave the parent or major colony to start a
new colony.
Bursa copulatrix
An internal female organ functioning during
copulation; in mites (Acari), the distal and of the seminal receptacle.
Button
In fly (Diptera) larvae, a usually round
structure/scar on the posterior spiracle representing the spiracle of the previous instar.
Cache
Anything hidden or stored.
Calcareous
Containing calcium.
Calypter (pl. calypteres)
In adult flies (Diptera), one of 2 basal lobes
located at the base of the wing along the rear margin.
Cambium
In trees, the layer of living cells located
between the bark to the outside and the sapwood to the inside.
Capitulum
In ticks (Acari), the mouthparts and their
base.
Carapace
In Crustacea, the hard top/dorsum of the
cephalothroax (fused head and thorax); in scorpions (Arachnida), the hard dorsal covering
consisting of fused dorsal scierites/plates of the cephalothorax (fused head and thorax).
Carina
An elevated ridge or keel.
Carnivorous
Predacious, eating/feeding on animal fluids
and/or tissue.
Carton
In termites (isoptera), the nest building
material composed of semidigested wood and soil cemented together with saliva and feces.
Casein
A milk protein used in cheese, paint, etc.
Caste
Kinds of mature individuals among social
insects which share similar body form and job description.
Caudal filaments
Threadlike processes at the posterior/rear
end of the abdomen.
CDC
Centers for Disease Control, headquartered in
Atlanta, GA.
Cell (of wings)
The space between the wing veins.
Cellulose
A polysaccharide consisting of repeated glucose
units, which is a major component of plant cell walls.
Centimeter (cm)
0.01 meter; 0.394 inch; about 2.5 cm = 1
inch.
cephalothorax
Anterior body region composed of the fused head
and thorax.
Cercus (pl. cerci)
One of a pair of dorsal appendages at the
posterior end of the abdomen.
Chelate
In mites (Acari), mandiblelike chelicerae.
Chelicera (pl. chelicerae)
One of the anterior pair of appendages, usually
fanglike, in arachnids.
Chevron-shaped
Stripes meeting at an angle medially;
"army sergeant stripes."
Chitin
A major polysaccharide component of arthropod
cuticle, secreted by the epidermis.
Cicada
A member of the insect order Homoptera, family
Cicadidae, characterized as being large (mostly 1-2"/25-50 mm), wings membranous and
held rooflike over the body at rest, antennae short and bristielike, 3 oceiii, tarsi
3-segmented, and males usually with sound-producing organs at the base of the abdomen on
the ventral side.
Cicatrix
In beetles (Coleoptera), the scarlike structure
located at the apex of the lst antennal segment (scape) in some species.
Clasper
One of a pair of clasping structures located at
the end of the abdomen functioning to hold the female during copulation
Clavate
Thickened or widened towards the base, or the
apex (=clubbed).
Claw tuft
A bunch/tuft of hairs (setae) at the tip of the
tarsus, sometimes padlike.
Closable chimney cap
A chimney cap which is spring-loaded with a
cable running through the flue pipe and a lock-catch located in the fireplace.
Closed cell
The membranous space of a wing being enclosed
or bounded by veins on all sides.
Clutch
In birds (Aves), the number of eggs produced or
incubated at one time.
Clypeus
On the insect face, a scierits (hardened body
wall plate) located between the front (central front area) and the labrum (upper lip).
Coccids
A member of the insect order Homoptera,
superfamily Coccoidea, characterized by males midgelike with I pair of wings, tarsi 1
-segmented with I claw, and without a beak, and females wingless and often legless,
usually with a waxy or scalelike covering; scale insects and mealybugs.
Cocoon
The covering of the pupa, composed partly or
wholly of silk, constructed by larvae.
Collophore
In springtails (Collembola), a ventral tube
borne on the first abdominal segment which is thought to function in water uptake.
Commensal
In rodents, those which live in close
association with humans and whose needs are supplied by humans.
Complete metamorphosis
In insects, development where the immature
stages consist of an egg followed by a series of larvae and then a pupal stage before the
adult.
Compound eye
An eye composed of many separate visual
elements, each of which is indicated externally by a facet.
Concentric
Having a common center, as circles.
Conifer
Evergreen tree g., pine, spruce, fir, etc.
Conjunctivitis
Inflammation of the mucous membrane that lines
the inner surface of the eyelids.
Constricted
Narrowed, pinched-in.
Contiguous
Touching.
Convergent
To be oriented as if coming together at a
point; inclined towards each other.
Copra
The dried oil-bearing kernel and meat of
coconut.
Cornicle(s)
In aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae), the tubular
structure on each side of the 5th or 6th abdominal tergites
(dorsal) through which various alarm pheromones are released.
Costal vein broken
In insect wings, the heavy front marginal vein
if it has distinctive weak spots usually indicated by a marginal notch.
Coxa (pl. coxae)
The basal or 1 st leg segment, connected to the
body wall.
Coxal plate
The hardened plate to which the coxa is
attached.
Creaping welts
In insect larvae, the typically swollen and
roughened areas/bands usually located on the ventral surface of segments which assist in
locomotion.
Crepuscular
Active at dusk/sunset.
Crochet
In moth and butterfly larvae (Lepidoptera), the
small hardened hooklike structures located on the end of the abdominal prolegs.
Crop
In insects, the dilated portion of the
alimentary canal behind the esophagus, which serves to receive and hold food.
Crossvein
Transverse veins linking the major longitudinal
wing veins.
Cuticle
The thin, acellular, external layer of the
exoskeleton, composed of 3 layers.
Cytotoxin
A toxin which affects the cells in the
immediate area of injection or introduction.
Deciduous tree
A tree which looses/sheds its leaves
seasonally, being without leaves for part of the year; most broadleaf or hardwood trees.
Dermatitis
Inflammation of the skin.
Desiccate
To dry.
Detritovore
Feeds on decaying organic matter.
Deutonymph
In mites (Acari), the normal 3rd
instar (Ist=larva, 2nd=protonymph).
Deutovum
In chiggers (Acari), the 2nd stage
of development (Ist=egg, 3rd=larva, 4th=nymphochrysalis, 5th=nymph,
6th=imagochrysalis, and 7th=adult).
Developmental time
The period from egg fertilization to emergence
of the adult; egg to adult.
Diatoms
Microscopic, single-cell algae having siliceous
cell walls.
Diamial
Movement in a transverse plane towards each
other.
Dichoptic
In adult flies (Diptera), having the eyes
markedly separated medially.
Dimorphic
Occurring in 2 distinct forms.
Diurnal
Active during the day; active at sunrise and
sunset.
Dorsal
Pertaining to the back or upper surface; top or
uppermost.
Dorsoventrally flattened
Flattened top to bottom, like a pancake.
Drone
The male bee in Hymenoptera which develops from
an unfertilized egg.
Ectoparasite
An external parasite.
Elbowed
Abruptly bent in an obtuse angle (between
90-180’).
Ellipsoid
Egg-shaped.
Elytral interval
In adult beetles (Coleoptera), the longitudinal
space between the striae (depressed/impressed rows of punctures).
Elytron (pl. elytra)
The leathery or hard front wing of beetles
(Coleoptera).
Emarginate
Notched at the margin,
Empodium (pl. empodia)
In mites (Acari), the enlarged
pretarsal/terminal structure of the tarsi, may be padlike, etc.
Endocuticle
The chitinous internal layer of the cuticle.
Engorged
In arthropods, to fill to excess with blood.
Entomology
The study of insects, that branch of zoology
dealing with insects.
Epicuticle
The thin acellular layer located on top of the
exocuticle.
Epidermis
The middle, cellular layer of the exoskeleton.
Epipharyngeal papillae
In beetle (Coleoptera) larvae, tiny projections
in a cuplike structure on the inner surface of the upper lip (labrum) along its midline
near its outer edge.
Eschar
Hard crust or scab.
Evergreen
A tree or other plant which does not shed its
leaves until they are replaced by new leaves, always with green leaves; leaves narrow and
often needlelike.
Excelsior
Moderate to fine wood shavings once commonly
used as packing material to protect the inner contents from damage due to blows to the
box/container.
Exocuticle
The hard (scierotized), chitinous, outside
layer of the cuticle.
Exoskeleton
A skeleton or supporting structure, on the outside of the body.
External feeder
The larva feeds from the outside of the kernel
inward (stored product pests).
Facet
The external surface of a single compound eye
unit or ommatidium.
Fang furrow retromargin
In spiders (Araneae), the side opposing the
fang.
Fangs
In spiders (Araneae), the chelicerae/jaws
modified for injecting venom.
Febrile
Feverishness; pertaining to or marked by fever.
Fecal pellet
In termites (Isoptera), the desiccated
faces/excrement in the form of hexagonal configurations; firm/hard excrement or
waste expelled from the anus.
Fecundity
The average number of eggs laid by an
arthropod.
Femur (pl. femora)
The 3rd leg segment, located between
the trochanter and the tibia.
Festoon
In ticks (Acari), the rectangular areas divided
by grooves along the posterior margin of the abdomen.
Fiber saturation point
The maximum amount of moisture vapor that wood
can absorb from a saturated atmosphere.
Filament
A long slender process of equal diameter
throughout.
Fledged young
In birds (Aves), when the nestling or young
bird is able to fly.
Fontanelle
In termites (Isoptera), the porelike opening on
the frontal region of the head through which secretions of the frontal gland are
ejected/squirted.
Foot
In snails and slugs (Geophila), the ventral or
bottom surface usually containing openings to the mucus glands; in vertebrates, the
terminal part of the leg, below the ankle joint, on which the body stands and moves.
Forensic entomology
Any legal or courtroom activity involving
insects, including the use of insects to determine the postmortem interval in criminal
cases (medico-legal entomology).
Frass
Solid excrement of larval insects; plant
fragments made by wood-boring insects which are usually mixed with excrement.
Frontal bristles
In adult flies (Diptera), the bristles located
on the face to the outside of the swollen median vertical area and antennae bases, but
before or to the inside of the eyes.
Fumigation
A method of pest control in which the infested
commodity/object/structure is encased so as to be almost air-tight, then a lethal fumigant
(liquid/gas/solid) is released from within or introduced from the outside and held until
the pests are dead, then the seal/encasement is broken so that aeration can begin, after
aeration the commodity/object/structure is verified by using an appropriate detection
device as containing a concentration of fumigant below the EPA acceptable level, and then
the commodity/object/structure can be released back into the possession of the owner or
their agent; in some cases, fumigation can be accomplished by using modified atmospheres
which are lethal to the pests instead of traditional fumigants; or a combination of the
two techniques can be used.
Functional worker
In termites (Isoptera), workers who are either
male or female and not sterile.
Fungus (pl. fungi)
A plant which does not contain chlorophyll-e.g.
molds, mushrooms, mildews, etc.
Funicle
In insect antennae, the segments between the
lst segment/scape and the club.
Furcula
A forked process; in springtails (Collembola),
the forked spring or leaping appendage borne on the 4th or 5th
abdominal segment.
Ganglion (pl. ganglia)
A nerve center composed of a cell mass and
fibers.
Gaster
The swollen part of the abdomen behind the
waist or pedicel in Hymenoptera.
Gastric caecum (pl. caeca)
A midgut structure which is saclike or tubelike
and open atonly one end.
Genal comb
In adult fleas (Siphonaptera), a row of strong
spines located anteroventrally on the gena (cheek).
Generation
From any given stage in the life cycle to the
same stage in the immediate offspring.
Genitalia
Structures associated with the genital opening
and used during copulation.
Genitoventral plate/shield
In mites (Acari), the sclarotized/hardened
ventral plate located between the anterior sternal shield and posterior anal plate/shield
containing the genital opening; the middle plate/shield.
Gestation period
The time from conception, through development,
to delivery/birth.
Gill
A respirator organ in aquatic immature stages
via which dissolved oxygen is extracted from the water.
Globose
Spherical or nearly so.
Glossa (pl. glossae)
The tongue; in adult Hymenoptera, the median
lobe at the apex of the prementum (median portion of labium/lower lip).
Gradual metamorphosis
In insects, development where the immature
stages are the egg followed by a series of nymphs which are very similar in appearance to
and habits of the adult stage; with no pupal stage.
Granulated
Surface texture as if covered with or made up
of very small grains or granules.
Gravid female
Heavy with fully-developed eggs.
Green logs
Freshly cut logs which have not had their wood
moisture content reduced to below 20% (=seasoned).
Gregarious
Commonly found in groups or aggregations.
Gynecoid worker
In Hymenoptera, a worker ant which can and does
lay eggs and can function as a substitute queen.
Haemolymph (also
hemolymph)
In insects, the blood which consists of fluid
plasma containing suspended hemocytes (nucleated cells).
Hair
A slender flexible filament of equal diameter
throughout, commonly used for seta/setae; by definition, found only on mammals.
Haller’s organ
In ticks (Acari), a sensory organ located on
the first pair of legs, on the top of each tarsus.
Haltere (pl. halteres)
In adult flies (Diptera), the knoblike modified
hind wing which is a sensory organ and helps maintain stability in flight.
Hardwood
The wood of broadleaf or deciduous trees, such
as oak, walnut, etc.
Haustiseta(e)
Spear-headed hairs (setae) often found in tufts
arising from the tergites, especially the posterior segments of dermestid larvae
(Coleoptera: Dermestidae).
Head
The anterior or front body region which bears
the eyes, mouthparts, and antennae.
Hemolymph
See haemolymph.
Hemocoel
A body cavity filled with blood.
HEPA filter
High efficiency particulate air filter, removes
particles down to 0.3 microns in size.
Herbarium (pl. herbaria)
A systematically arranged collection of dried
plants, or a room(s) in which such a collection is kept.
Herbivore
Feeds on plants.
Hermaphrodite
Individual containing both ovaries and testes.
Hibernation
Period of inactivity during seasonal low
temperatures.
Holoptic
In adult flies (Diptera), having the eyes touch
each other medially.
Honey dew
The watery fluid containing which is excreted
from the anus of aphids, scale insect, treehoppers, and most planthoppers (all in order
Homoptera).
Humerus (pl. humeri)
In adult beetles (Colooptera), the basal
exterior (lateral) angle of the elytra; the shoulders.
Hypha (pl. hyphae)
A threadlike strand of fungus.
Hypopdial stage
The hypopus.
Hypopharynx
A median mouthpart structure located just in
front of the labium; a tonguelike structure.
Hypoplouron
In adult flies (Diptera), the plate just above
the middle coxa on the side of the thorax.
Hypopus (pl. hypopi)
A nymphal stage in the development of certain
mites (Acari) which has developed suckers or claspers for grasping insects, effecting
dispesal.
Hypostome
In ticks (Acari), a dartlike structure
arising fom the median ventral surface of the basis capituli.
Hysterosoma
In mites (Acari), the clorsolateral area
between the 2nd and 3rd pair of legs.
ldlosoma
In mites (Acari), the body.
ILT
Insect light trap which uses black
(ultraviolet) light to attract insects and either electrocutes them on an electrical grid
or captures them on a replaceable sticky surface.
Imago
The adult stage.
Imagochrysalis
In chiggers (Acari), the 6th stage
of development (Isl=egg, 2nd=Deutovum, 3rd=larva, 4th=nymphochrysalis,
5th=nymph, and 7th=adult).
Immature
A life stage proceeding the adult stage; not
sexually mature.
Impressed areas
Areas of the surface which are lower than the
surrounding or overall surface height.
Incomplete metamorphosis
In insects, development where the stages are
the egg followed by a series of naiads which are aquatic and have gills, the naiads
differing greatly in appearance from the adult stage; with no pupal stage.
Insect growth regulator (IGR)
A substance which affects the insect’s
developmental cycle and disrupts its tile cycle.
lnstar
The stage between molts.
Interfemoral membrane
In bats (Chiroptera), the membrane between the
hind leg and tail.
Intermediate host
The host in which the asexual stages of a
parasite are passed.
Internal feeder
The larva feeds entirely within the grain
kernel and usually requires a whole kernel for development (stored product pests).
Iridescence
Displaying a shifting/change of lustrous colors
(shines by reflection) when the viewing angle is changed.
Jugal lobe
In adult Hyrnenoptera, the lobe on the hind
margin of posterior/rear wing near the body.
Keel
An elevated ridge; in cockroach oothecae
(Blattodea) , the raised dorsal ridge.
Keratin
An inert animal protein found in hair,
feathers, horns, hoofs, etc., akin to chitin of insects.
Kiln-dried lumber
Lumber which has been artificially warmed or
heated to reduce its moisture content and to kill any insect infestation.
Labella
In some adult flies (Diptera), the fleshy
paired oral lobes or pads at the terminal end of the proboscis,
Labial palp (pl. palpi or palps)
The 1-4-segmented appendage of the insect
labium (lower lip).
Labium
The lower lip, located below the rnaxillae;
hindmost mouthpart structure.
Labrum
The upper lip, located in front of the
mandibles and below the elypeus. Lanceolate Spear-shaped; oblong and tapering to
one end.
Larva (pl. larvae)
An immature stage of those insects with
complete metamorphosis; the developmental stage between egg and pupa; in termites
(Isoptera), the young instars proceeding the worker or nymph (with wing pads) stages; in
thrips (Thysanaptera), the Ist 2 instars; in mites and ticks (Acari), the lst instar.
Larviform
Shaped like or resembling a larva.
Lateral
Toward the side, away from the midline.
Laterally flattened
Flattened side to side.
Leafhoppers
A member of the insect order Homoptera, family
Cicadellidae, characterized by having the mouthparts in a beak arising from the back of
the head, antenna short and bristielike, 4 membranous or slightly thickened wings with
front wings longer, middle coxae short and touching each other, hind tibia with I or more
rows of small spines, and jumping insects, generally less than 112" (12 mm).
Life cycle
The development of an insect from egg stage to
egg stage.
Life history
A detailed record of a life cycle (egg to egg).
Lignin
An organic material that along with cellulose,
forms the primary part of woody plant tissue; adds strength.
Litter
A number of young born at approximately the
same lime.
Lumber/board
Wood which is 1 "/24 mm or less in
thickness.
Maggots
Fly (Diptera) larvae which are legless and lack
a distinct head (represented by 2 hooks), tapers from a blunt caudal/posterior end towards
a pointed "head" end.
Major worker
In termites (isoptera) and ants (Hymenoptera:
Formicidae), a member of the worker subcaste of largest size.
Malipighian tubules
Blind excretory tubes that arise near the
anterior end of the midgut and extend into the body cavity; the insect’s urinary
system.
Mammillae
In ticks (Acari), the elevations of various
forms found on the integument in Ornithodoros spp.
Mandible
A jaw.
Mantle
In slugs (Geophila), the raised portion of the
body’s dorsum.
Manufactured product
Wood which has been worked or processed such as
millwork, flooring, and furniture.
Margin
Of or pertaining to the edge.
Marsupium
The ventral pouch in certain lsopoda and
Amphipoda used for carrying eggs and young; brood pouch.
Maxilia (pl. maxillae)
One of the paired mouthparts located just
behind the mandibles, often jawlike and with a palp (segmented feelerlike structure).
Mealybug
A member of the insect order Homoptera,
families Pseudococcidas and Ericoccidae, characterized by being elongate-oval with well
developed legs, tarsi 1- segmented with 1 claw, and usually covered with a waxy secretion.
Media worker
In polymorphic ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
with 3 worker subcastes, a member of the worker subcaste of intermediate size.
Median caudal filament
A threadlike process at the posterior end of
the abdomen positioned in the middle.
Median frontal stripe
In adult flies (Diptera), a stripe in the
middle of the front/face of the head.
Membranous
Like cellophane; a thin, flexible, usually
transparent, film of tissue.
Mesonotal suture
In adult flies (Diptera), the impressed line
running across the top of the middle thoracic segment (mesothorax) that subdivides the
mesonotum; the transverse suture.
Mesonotum
The dorsal/top hardened plate of the middle
thoracic segment (mesothorax).
Mesopleura
The lateral/side hardened plate of the middle
thoracic segment (mesothorax).
Mesothorax
The second or middle segment of the thorax,
bearing the middle pair of legs and front wings if present.
Metallic
Having the appearance of metal.
Metamorphosis
The series of changes an insect goes through in
its growth from egg to adult stage.
Metapodosomal venter
In mites (Acari), the ventral area between the
3rd and 4th pair of legs.
Metasternal plate
In insects, the hardened ventral plate of the
middle throacic segment (mesothroax) located between the legs.
Metathorax
The third or hindmost segment of the thorax,
bearing the third pair of legs and the hind wings if present.
Meter
(m) 39.37 inches; the standard of length in the
metric system of measurement.
Microencapsulated
Enclosed in a thin polymer skin, usually
spherical.
Millimeter
(mm) 1/1000 meter; 0.3937 inch; about 25 mm = 1
inch.
Mimic
A species which closely resembles another
species of a different group for a survival advantage.
Minor worker
In termites (Isoptera) and ants (Hymenoptera:
Formicidae), a member of the worker subcaste of smallest size.
Molting
The periodic formation of a new exoskeleton,
followed by the shedding of the old skin.
Moniliform
Composed of a series of beadlike segments;
beaded like a necklace.
Monomorphic
Of or having one form.
Morphology
The study of form and structure.
Mustache
In birds (Aves), a tuft of feathers off the
bill base often differing in color from the surrounding area.
Mycelial fan
Flat masses of fungal hyphae.
Mycologist
One who studies fungi.
Myiasis
Any disease that results from the infestation
of tissues or cavities by fly (Diptera) larvae.
Naiad
The aquatic nymph of insects with simple or
incomplete metamorphosis.
Nape
In birds (Aves), the back side of the neck.
Nasutiform soldier
In termites (isoptera), a soldier with the head
prolonged into a snoutlike structure used to eject/squirt a defensive secretion.
Necrosis
Decay; death of tissue.
Necrotic lesions
A wound with dying tissue.
Neurotoxin
A toxin that affects the functioning of the
nervous system.
Nit
The egg of a sucking louse (Anoplura) when
attached to a hair.
Nocturnal
Active at night.
Node
A segment of the pedicel or of ant’s waist
(Formicidae) or of other Hymenoptera.
Notopleural bristle(s)
In adult flies (Diptera), bristles borne by the
sunken lateral area to the outside of the mesonotal/transverse suture (=notopleura).
Notum (pl. nota)
The dorsal or top surface plate of a thoracic
segment.
Nuptia instar
In amphipods/scuds (Amphipoda), the 8th
instar which includes the first mating (adult begins with 9th instar).
Nymph
The immature stage of insects having incomplete
(= simple) metamorphosis; in Acari, the immature stage(s) having 8 legs.
Nymphochrysalis
In chiggers (Acari), the 4th stage
of development (lst=egg, 2nd=Deutovum, 3rd=larva, 5th=nymph,
6th=imagochrysalis, and 7th=adult).
Occipital carina
In adult Hymenoptera, the carina/ridge
delimiting the back of the head (occiput) from the top of the head (vertex).
Ocellus (pl. oceill)
A simple eye, consisting of a single lens.
Ocular bristle
In adult fleas (Siphonaptera), the bristle
associated with the compound eye and usually inserted either in front of or below the eye.
Oesophagus (esophagus)
That part of the alimentary canal between the
mouth and the crop.
Ommatidium (pl. ommatidia)
An individual compound eye unit or visual
section.
Ootheca (pl. oothecae)
Egg capsule; in cockroaches (Blattodea), two
parallel rows of eggs enclosed in a capsule.
Open cell
The membranous space between the wing veins
continuous with or reaching the wing margin.
Operculum
In snails (Geophila), the closing plate of the
shell.
Opposed
Closest to or opposite.
Oral vibrissae
In adult flies (Diptera), the 2 long bristles,
one located to each side of the face just above the mouthparts on the head.
Ostium (pl. ostia)
Lateral openings of the heart (dorsal vessel),
located in the posterior portion.
Ovipositor
The structure by which the eggs are deposited,
may be external or withdrawn into the body.
Palp (= palpus, pl. palpi)
A feelerlike structure located on a maxilla or
on the labium.
Papilla (pl. palpillae)
Tiny fingerlike projections.
Parafacial
In adult flies (Diptera), the head area between
the lower 1/3 of the compound eye and the vertical front ridge (goes around the antennae
bases).
Parafrontals
In adult flies (Diptera), the sides of the
front of the head next to the compound eyes; the parts of the face between the facial
ridges and the eyes.
Parasitic
Living as a parasite, an organism that lives on
or in another (the host) from which it obtains food, shelter, etc.
Parasitoid
An internal or external parasite.
Paraxial
Up and down movement (vertical) in a plane
almost parallel to the median plane of the body.
Parenchyma
In trees, simple blunt-ended storage cells.
Parent colony
The main colony containing the queen(s), other
castes, and immature including eggs.
Parthenogenesis
Egg development without fertilization.
Patella (pl. patellae)
In Cholicerata (mites, ticks, spiders, etc.),
the leg segment between the femur and the tibia.
Pathogen
Any microorganism or its product which causes
disease.
PCO
Pest control operator; one engaged in pest
control as a profession.
Pectinate
Comblike; with even processes like the teeth of
a comb.
Pedicel
The waist of an ant (Formicidae) or of other
Hymenoptera, composed of one segment (the petiole) or 2 segments (petiole plus
postpetiole); the 2nd antennae segment of insects; in spiders (Araneae), the
narrow waist/stalk connecting the cephalothorax and abdomen.
Pedipalps
The second pair of appendages of the
cephalothorax in Arachnida.
Perimeter barrier treatment
Application of a pesticide to the perimeter of
a building, not to exceed 10 feet (3 m) outward or higher than 1-3 feet or to the bottom
of any siding.
Peritremal tube
In mites (Acari), a hardened/sclerotized
tubelike structure extending forward, or sometimes rearward, near the lateral margin, from
the stigmata (breathing pore).
Peritreme
In fly larvae (Diptera), the margin of
the spiracular plate; see Peritremal tube.
Permeability
The ability to absorb water; the relative ease
with which moisture can penetrate under a pressure gradient.
Perpendicular
Oriented or being at a right angle (90’)
to another surface.
Petiolate
Stalked.
Petiole
The first node or segment of the pedicel or
waist of ants (Formicidae) and other Hymenoptera.
Pheromone
A chemical usually secreted by a gland which is
released outside the body and is used n communication within a species.
Pile
Thick, short, fine hairs/setae giving a velvety
appearance; in construction/building, a cylindrical/flat member of
wood/steel/concrete/etc. that is hammered vertically into soil to form part of the
foundation.
Piling
A mass of building piles considered
collectively with a pile being a cylindrical/flat member of wood/steel/concrete/etc. that
is hammered vertically into soil to form part of the foundation.
Pilis dentilis
In mites (Acari), the bristle attached to the
inner surface of the immovable member/digit of the chelicerae (mouthparts).
Pinaculum (pl. pinacula)
In larval Lepidoptera, a small, flat wartlike
(scierotized/thickened) area bearing 1-4 setae (hairs).
Plantar bristles
In adult fleas (Siphonaptera), the bristles
located on the tarsal segments.
Planthoppers
A member of the insect order Homoptera,
superfamily Fulgoroidea, characterized by the antenna borne on the sides of the head
between the eyes, the beak usually short and rising at the back of the head, 4 wings with
front wings slightly thickened and its 2 anal veins meeting distally to form a Y-vein,
middle coxae elongate and separated, and jumping insects, mostly 3/8" (1 0 mm) or
less.
Plumose
Featherlike; feathery in appearance.
Pollen basket
In adult bees (Hymenoptera: superfamily
Apoidea), the concave, smooth space on the posterior tibia, fringed with hairs and
functioning to hold collected pollen.
Pollinose
Covered with a loose, mealy dust like the
pollen of flowers; surface covered with a whitish dusting.
Polymorphic
Of or having more than one form.
Porosity of wood
The state or quality of being porus (full of
pores); the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of the volume of the pores or interstices
(spaces between pores) of wood to the total volume of its mass.
Posterior
Hind or rear, hindmost.
Posthumeral bristle(s)
In adult flies (Diptera), the bristle(s) on the
anterolateral (front side) surface of the scutum (mesonotum) just to the inside of the
humeral callus (shoulder).
Postscutum
In adult flies (Diptera), the area below the
scutum (rear most dorsal thoracic plate).
Postsutural arcostichal setae
In adult flies (Diptera), the lst row of
bristles to each side of the midline on the mesonotum (scutum).
Potablewater
Water fit or suitable for drinking.
Preadult
In thrips (Thysanoptera), the more than one
stage proceeding the adult.
Predator
An organism that obtains its food by the
periodic killing of prey organisms.
Prepupa
In thrips (Thysanoptera), the inactive 3rd
instar proceeding the 4th instar/pupa in the suborder Terebrantia.
Prespiracular tubercle
In larval Lepidoptera, the wartlike
(scierotized/thickened) area between the spiracle and the front edge of the prothoracic
segment, bearing setae (hairs).
Presutural bristle(s)
In adult flies (Diptera), the bristle(s)
located to the side and just in front of the mesonotal/transverse suture (=behind the rear
most posthumeral bristle) on the mesonotum.
Pretarsus (pl. pretarsi)
The 6th or terminal leg segment,
usually consisting of 2 claws and one or more padlike structures.
Primary reproductive
In termites (isoptera), the colony founding
male or female derived from a winged adult.
Primary setae
In larval Lepidoptera, those setae (hairs) with
a definite arrangement, and found in all instars, including the lst instar.
Proboscis
The protruding mouthpart structures of sucking
insects; a beak.
Profile
The insect or object when viewed from its side.
Prolog
A fleshy abdominal process, occurring in pairs,
used for locomotion in larvae of butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera), and sawflies
(Hymenoptera).
Pronotal comb
In adult fleas (Siphonaptera), a row of strong
spines located on the pronotum’s posterior margin.
Pronotal shield
An expanded pronotum.
Pronotum
The dorsal or top surface plate of the
prothorax.
Propodeum
In adult Hymenoptera, the first abdominal
segment when fused with the thorax.
Propodosoma
In mites (Acari), the plate just behind the
mouthparts and between the I st pair of legs.
Protealytic enzymes
Protein-splitting enzymes.
Prothorax
The first or front segment of the thorax,
bearing the first pair of legs and without wings (except for order Strepsiptera).
Protonymph
In mites (Acari), the normal 2nd
instar (lst=larva, 3rd=Deutonymph).
Proventriculus
The rear part of the foregut behind the crop
and before the midgut, variously modified in insects to aid in food processing; the
gizzard.
Psammophore
In Hymenoptera, a group of long coarse hairs on
the underside of the head in adult ants (Formicidae) and vespid wasps (Vespidae).
PSH
Pulmonary syndrome hantavirus.
Pterostigma
In adult psocids (Psocoptera), the pigmented
spot/cell on the front wing located along the front edge before the apex of vein R, I
Pubescence
Clothed with soft, short, fine, loosely set
hairs/setae; downy.
Pulvillus (pl. pulvill!)
In adult flies (Diptera), a padlike lobe or
structure beneath the tarsal claws.
Punctures
Pits or small impressions on the cuticle, like
made with a pin/needle.
Pupa (pl. pupae)
The resting or transformation stage of insects
with complete metamorphosis; the developmental stage between larva and adult.
Puparium (pl. puparia)
In flies (Diptera), the third larval instar
molt skin within which the pupa is formed.
Pygidium
The tergum (dorsal plate) of the last visible
segment of the abdomen.
Queen
Female member of a reproductive caste of a
social species; in termites (isoptera), a dealated, inseminated female adult or primary
reproductive.
Ray parenchyma
In trees, the simple, blunt-ended storage cells
of the spawood that are oriented radially.
Regeneration
The reproduction/regrowth of a lost part.
Replete
In adult ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), an
individual whose crop is greatly distended with liquid food, such that the abdominal
intersegmental membranes are stretched tight, which typically hang from the chamber
ceiling and serve as living reservoirs.
Reservoir (animal disease)
An animal which serves as a living storage
vessel for a disease-causing organism(s) that are then transmitted to other animals by
direct/indirect contact and/or by insects, ticks, mites, etc.
Reticulate
Superficially netlike or made up of a network
of lines.
RH
Relative humidity.
Rhizomorph
The rootlike thick strands of fungal hyphae.
Roost
In birds, a perch upon which they rest at
night; in bats, the place where they rest during the day.
Rump
In birds (Aves), the dorsal area between the
wings just before the tail.
Sapwood
The softer part of the wood between the bark
and the inner/central heartwood.
Satellite colony
A secondary colony which does not contain
either a queen(s) or eggs, and is connected to the parent colony.
Scale
A flattened seta or hairlike structure.
Scale insect
See Coccids.
Scape
The first or basal antennal segment.
Scepular hairs/setae
In mites (Acari), the dorsal pair of
hairs/setae to either side about midway between the midline and lateral margin,
approximately in line with the 2nd pair of legs.
Scavenger
A organism that feeds on dead or decaying plant
or animal materials, or on animal wastes; larvae which feed on grain only after the seed
coat has been broken, either mechanically or by some other insect (stored product pests).
Scent glands
In bugs (Heteroptera), the opening to the gland
located on each side of the thorax between the 2nd and 3rd pair of
legs.
Scierite
Any plate of the body wall bounded by membrane
and/or sutures.
Sclerotized
Hardened cuticle through scierotization,
involving the development of crosslinks between protein chains.
Scolus (pl. scoli)
In certain moth (Lepidoptera) larvae, tubercles
in the form of spinose projections of the body wall whose spines are sometimes
urticaceous/stinging.
Scutellum
In adult flies (Diptera), the rear tip (often
triangular) of the metathorax; in adult beetles (Coleoptera), the triangular part of the
mesothorax between the bases of the slytra.
Scutum (pl. scuta)
Any shield-shaped plate; the dorsal shield just
behind the mouthparts of ticks and mites (Acari); in adult flies (Diptera), the middle
division of the thoracic notum, just in front of the scutellum.
Seasoned wood
Wood that has had its wood moisture content
reduced to 19% or lower.
Secondary colony
In termites (Isoptera), a colony of
subterranean termites existing above ground which is made possible by a stable
above-ground moisture source.
Secondary pest
Insects and mites which feed on food materials
which are in poor condition, usually damp and/or have some mold growth present.
Secondary reproductive
In termites (Isoptera), reproductives which
developed from nymphs; nymphoid reproductive.
Secondary setae
In larval Lepidoptera, numerous setae (hairs)
scattered over the cuticle, not constant in number or position, often occurring in tufts;
usually absent in lst instar and often defensive in function.
Seed tick
The first instar tick (Acari).
Segment
A subdivision of the body or of an appendage
between joints or areas of flexibility.
Seminal receptacle
In female mites (Acari), the structure which
receives the sperm of the male.
Sensillae
In chiggers (Acari), the long hairlike
structures which have 6-8 branches in their outer half located on the outer half of the
dorsal shield.
Serpentine
Snakelike in appearance.
Serrate
Sawlike, with notched edges like the teeth of a
saw blade; in spiders (Araneae), the serrate/toothed claws on the tarsal tip.
Seta (pl. setae)
A bristle; a scierotized hairlike
projection.
Setal comb
Tufts of hairs (setae).
Setula (pl. setulae)
In fly larvae (Diptera), very small bristles or
cone-shaped processes on their ambulatory areas.
Sheetrock
Preformed building material consisting of
usually 1" (24.5 mm) or less thickness of plaster covered with paper, coming in 4 ft
x 8 ft (1.2 m x 2.4 m) sheets, and attached to wall studs and coiling
joists; plasterboard.
Shield
In mites and ticks (Acari), a sclerotized or
hardened plate located dorsally or ventrally; in insects, it is usually located on the
dorsal half of a segment.
Simple
Unmodified by any condition causing complexity;
not forked, toothed, branched, or divided.
Simple eye An eye consisting of a single lens; an ocellus.
Simple metamorphosis In insects, development in which there is no pupal stage. Sinuous Undulating, curved in and out.
Social insect
An insect belonging to a group in which
individuals display all of the following traits: cooperative care of the young;
reproductive division of labor, with more or less sterile individuals working on behalf of
the reproductives; and an overlap of at least 2 generations.
Softwood
The wood of evergreen or conifer trees.
Species (pl. species)
Fundamentally similar individuals who
interbreed and produce offspring, but who do not ordinarily interbreed with other groups.
Spermatheca (pl. spermathecae)
The sperm storage organ located in the female
abdominal cavity; the receptacle of sperm during copulation.
Spermatophore
A packet of sperm; in springtails
(Collembola), it is deposited on the ground/or surface by the male and picked up later by
the female.
Spiderlings
Young/immature spiders, often used to refer to
the just-hatched or lst instar spiders.
Spine
A thornlike process of the cuticule not
separated from it by a joint.
Spinnerets
In spiders (Araneae), the small tubular
appendages located on rear/posterior end of the abdomen below the anus from which silk
threads are extruded; in larval insects, they are usually located on the labium (lower
lip).
Spinose
Armed with throny spines.
Spiracle
The external opening of the tracheal
(respiratory) system.
Spirochete
A corkscrew-shaped bacterium, belonging to the
order Spirochaetales.
Spore
In fungi, the single-cell reproductive body.
Sporophore
Fungal fruiting bodies which produce spores.
Squab
Pigeon nestling, marketed when full grown but
still unfledged (unable to fly).
Squama (pl. squamae)
Any scalelike sturcture; in adult flies
(Diptera), a calypter which is one of 2 basal lobes located at the base of the wing along
the rear margin.
STD
Sexually transmitted disease.
Sternal shield
In mites (Acari), the sclerotized/hardened
ventral plate located adjacent to the mouthparts and I st pair of legs.
Sternum (pl. sterna)
A hardened body wall plate on the ventral or
bottom side.
Stigma (pl. stigmata)
In mites (Acari), an opening to the respiratory
system.
Stinger
In Hymenoptera, the modified ovipositor used
for injecting venom; in scorpions (Scorpions), the modified terminal abdominal segment
(=telson) used for injecting venom.
Stria (pl. striae)
Any long, fine impressed line; in adult beetles
(Coleoptera), the longitudinal depressed line or furrow, often punctured, running the
length of the elytra (wing covers); in mites (Acari), the almost parallel fine impressed
lines/grooves on the body surface.
Structural/dimension lumber
Wood which is at least a 2x4".
Style
Slender projecting, nonarticulated
(unsegmented), process or prolongation.
Stylet
A small, slender style or stiff process.
Stylus (pl. stylle)
Fingerlike processes; a small, pointed,
nonarticulated process.
Subantennal suture(s)
In certain insects (e.g. adult flies/Diptera),
the impressed line(s)/groove(s) extending from the antennal bass downward toward the mouth
to the subgenal suture.
Subimago
In winged mayflies (Ephemeroptera), the winged
developmental stage immediately before the reproductively mature adult (imago).
Submarginal cell
In adult Hymenoptera, one or more calls of the
wing located immediately behind (rearward) the marginal cells.
Subspiniform
Somewhat spinelike, not quite spinalike or
spine-shaped.
Suture
Impressed line/groove/furrow marking the line
of fusion of 2 formerly distinct plates; the line of juncture of elytra, tegmina, or
hemielytra.
Swarmer
A winged reproductive; in ants (Hymenoptera:
Formicidae) and termites (Isoptera), a member of the mass exodus of winged reproductives
from the nest for the mating flight; in honey bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae), a member of the
mass of workers and queen which suddenly leave the colony to start a new colony.
Tarantism
In myth, the frenzied dance preformed by people
who thought they had been bitten by a large European wolf spider which took its name from
the city of Taranto in Italy.
Tarsi appearing
In insects, when 1 or more tarsal segments are
very small and/or partially hidden by an ajoining segment such that they are present but
difficult to see/detect.
Tarsus (pl. tarsi)
The 5th leg segment, located
immediately beyond the tibia, and often subdivided into "segments."
Taxonomist
One who studies/practices the science of identification, naming, and classification of organisms.
Tegmen (pl. tegmina)
The hardened leathery front wing usually with
reduced venation of Blattodea, Mantodea, Orthoptera, and certain Heteroptera.
Tegula (pl. tegulao)
A scierite/plate at the extreme base of the
front wing costa, being very large and overlapping the wing base in Lapidoptera and being
well-developed in the Hymenoptera and Diptera.
Telson
In scorpions (Scorpiones), the narrow last 5
taillike segments of the abdomen ending in a sting.
Temperate region/zone
That part of the earth’s surface having a
climate that is warm in the summer, cold in the winter, and moderate in the spring and
autumn; area between the tropic of Cancer and Arctic Circle in the Northern Hemisphere or
between the tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle in the Southern Hemisphere.
Temple
The part of the head behind the compound eyes
(Coleoptera/beeties).
Tenaculum
In springtails (Collembola), the clasplike
structure with 2 divergent prongs located medially on the venter of the 3rd
abdominal segment that serves to hold the furcula (the forked spring).
Tenant hairs
In mites (Acari), the suckerlike adhesive
hairs/setas located on the tip of the tarsi in some species.
Tentacle(s)
In slugs and snails (Geophila), the
tubercle/stalk on the head that often bares an eye at its tip, usually 2 pairs present.
Tergite
A dorsal scierite or plate; the dorsal part of a segment.
Tergum (pl. terga)
The dorsal/top surface plate of an abdominal
segment.
Terminal
Located at the tip, end, or extremity.
Thorax (adj. thoracic)
The middle body region which bears legs and
wings, if present.
Tibia (pl. tibiae)
The 4th leg segment, located between
the femur and the tarsus.
Tow
Flax, hemp, or jute fibers.
Trachea (pl. tracheae)
The small tubes of the insect’s
breathing/respiratory system which open externally at spiracles.
Tragus
In bats (Chiroptera), the leaflike structure
located in the ear.
Translucent
Almost clear but slightly milky.
Transverse suture
See mesonotal
suture.
Trapezoidal
Four-sided, having 2 sides parallel (1 side
usually shorter than the other) and 2 sides nonparallel (usually of equal length).
Tritonymph
In mites (Acari), the normal 4th
stage in development (lst=egg, 2nd=larva, 3rd=protonymph, 5th=adult).
Trochanter
The 2nd leg segment, located between
the coxa and the femur.
Trophallactic fluid
A glandular fluid given by larvae to adults
after being fed.
Tropical region/zone
The surface area of the earth bounded by the
two latitude parallels of 23.5’N (tropic of Cancer) and 23.5’S (tropic of
Capricorn) of the equator.
Truncate
Square or broad at the end, as if cut
transversely.
Tubercle
A small knoblike/wartlike rounded protuberance
or lobe.
Ulceration
A sore open to the surface of the body
accompanied by the disintegration of tissue, the formation of puss, etc.
ULV application
Ultra low volume application.
Uristigmate
In chiggers (Acari), the external opening to
the respiratory system that is always associated with the coxae of the lst pair of legs.
Urogomphi (sing. urogomphus)
In beetle larvae (Coleoptera), the usually
paired process from the posterior end of the tergum (dorsal plate) of the 9th
abdominal segment, being either jointed and movable or unjointed and nonmovable.
Uropod (pl. uropoda)
Any abdominal appendage of arthropods; in
Crustacea, one of the terminal pair of abdominal appendages, usually lobelike.
Urticaceous spines/hairs
In certain caterpillars (Lepidoptera) and adult
insects, hairs/setae or spines connected to cutaneous poison glands, through which venom
issues (=stinging hairs); or barbed hairs/setae which cause mechanical irritation.
Variegated
Of several colors in an indefinite pattern.
Vector
The intermediate host; an organism that
transmits a pathogenic virus, bacterium, etc.
Vein
A thickened line in a wing, often darkened; a
thin, tubular structure supporting the wing membrane.
Venation
The pattern of veins in a wing; the complete
vein system in a wing.
Ventral
Pertaining to the belly or underside; lower or
underneath.
Ventrolateral
On the underneath/lower surface and to one side
of the midline.
Vertebrate
A animal having a backbone or spinal column.
Vertex
The top of the head between the eyes (compound
eyes in adults), frons/face, and occiput (back of head).
Vertical
Oriented or going up and down, top to bottom;
being upright or perpendicular to the horizon.
Vertical front ridge
In adult flies (Diptera), the raised line that
goes around the antennae bases.
Vesicular dermatitis
Small blisters on human skin.
Vestigial
Greatly reduced in size from what is typical or
normal for that structure; poorly developed.
Vibrissae (sing. vibrissa)
Long whiskers; stiff tactile hairs.
Weep hole
An artificial hole left in masonry walls in the
mortar area for the purpose of allowing water vapor to escape.
Whitefly
A member of the insect order Homoptera, family
Aleyrodidae, characterized by being very small (about 1/16-1/8"/ 2-3 mm), body
covered with a white powder, hind wing almost as large as front wing, wings held
horizontal over body at rest, antenna 7-segmented, and tarsi 2-segmented.
Whorl
A ring of hairs set about a joint or center
like the spokes of a wheel; in snails (Geophila), a complete circle of the shell.
Wing pads
The encased undeveloped wings of nymphs which
appear on the meso- and methorax as 2 flattish structures.
Wing scale
In termites (Isoptera), the small basal portion
of the wing remaining attached to the adult after the main portion of the wing is shed
along the fracture line (basal suture).
Wood moisture content (WMC)
The moisture content of the plant’s cell
walls.