Photographic Glossary of terms used

Abdomen

The hindmost of the three main body divisions of an insect.

Antennae

A pair of segmented appendages located on the head above the mouthparts and sensory in function.

Anther

The part of the flower which produces pollen. It is the upper section of the stamen.

Bract

A reduced or modified leaf, often below a flower or flower cluster.

Chrysalis

The specific type of pupal case which is produced by a butterfly.

Cocoon

The pupal case which is produced by a moth.

False Margin

A vein running parallel to the rear edge of the wing of a hoverfly.

False Vein

A crease in the wing of a hoverfly. The False Vein often terminates before it reaches the rear vein.

Gemmae

Reproductive structures that form asexually from liverworts.

Larva (pl. larvae)

The immature stage, between the egg and the pupa, of an insect.

Ocelli

The simple eyes of insects, usually occurring in a group of three on the top of the head.

 

Ovipositor

Egg-laying tubular structure at the end of the abdomen in many female insects.

Proboscis

A hollow, strawlike mouthpart.

Prolegs

Fleshy unjointed abdominal legs of caterpillars and sawfly larvae.

Pupa

In insects, the transition stage between the larva and the adult.

Puparium

A case formed by the hardening of the last larval skin, in which the pupa is formed.

Scutellum

The part of the middle segment of the thorax, which you can see from above.

Sepal

One of the outermost circle of modified leaves surrounding the reproductive organs of a flower.

Soredia

Sori

Part of a fern that makes spores.

Spiracle

Small openings or projections on the surface of animals that usually lead to respiratory systems.

Stamen

The male reproductive organ of a flower, consisting of a pollen-bearing anther and a supporting filament.

Stigma

A stigma (plural: stigmata) is the part of the female part of a flower that receives pollen.

Tergite

One of the plates making up an insect's abdomen.

Thallus

The body of an alga, fungus, or simple plant; not differentiated into stem, leaves and roots.

Thorax

The middle section of an insect's body. The legs and wings attach here.

Volva

A saclike cup or tissue surrounding the stalk base in certain fungi.