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A-. - A prefix of Latin and Greek words, and as a prefix to Latin words, means, away from, as avert, to turn from; and when prefixed to Greek words, it means, not, or without, as atom, what cannot be divided.

Abbreviate, Abbreviatus. - Disproportionately short in part; when apparently unnaturally shortened. (L. ad, and brevis, short.)

Abbreviate fascia. - A fascia traversing less than half the wing. (See Dimidiate fascia.)

Abdomen. - The portion of an insect comprising all the segments beyond the podeon, or peduncle. (Newman.)

The posterior apodous region of the body, consisting of ten or fewer segments, which are usually freely articulated, although occasionally some of them are fused. (Boas.)

The third and last chief division of the body of insects (Burmeister). (L. abdo, to conceal.)

Abdominal ganglia. - Small oval nerve centres, situated one in each segment, between the alimentary canal and the large ventral muscles. (L. abdo, and ganglion.)

Abductor coxa. - The second of the powerful coxæ muscles. (L. ab, from, away from, and duco, ductum, to lead or draw.)

Aborted. - Incomplete, undeveloped. (L. aborto, old form of abortio, to miscarry.)

Absconditum. - (Head.) See Concealed. (L. abs, away from, and condo, to hide.)

Acarina. - A family of Arachnoidæ, including mites, ticks, etc. (Gr. a, not, and keiro, to cut).

Acclivous. - A gentle ascent of the surface; rising in a gradual slope. (L. ad, and clivus, a slope.)

Accrescente. - Gradually increasing in thickness towards the apex, and generally applied to the antennæ. (L. ad, and cresco, cretum, to grow.)

Acetabula. - The cotyloid cavities, the cavities of the thorax, in which the legs are inserted, formed by the sternum and epimerum, and sometimes the epigastrium. (L. acetabulum, a cup-shaped vessel.)

Acetabuliform. - Resembling a circular shallow saucer, the sides of which are more or less incurved. (L. acetabulum, and form, shape.) See Calathiform.

Acetabulum. - The mesostethium, or large central piece situated next to the peristethium, and behind the sockets of the intermediate legs. (L. acetabulum.)

Acetabulum. - The segment of the post-pectus that is situated behind the peristæthium. It is bounded on each side by the Parapleuræ and behind by the mærianæ; it contains cavities for the reception of the intermediate legs. (L. a cup-shaped vessel.)

Achatine. - Painted with various concentric, curved, or parallel lines, resembling the veining of an agate. (Gr. Achates, a river in Sicily, where agates were found.)

Achromatin. - The water-like substance of the nucleus; the substance composing the remainder of the surrounding matter - after taking away the chromatin - of the nucleus. (Gr. a, and chroma, colour.)

Aciculæ. - Prickles, spines. (L. acicula, a little needle.)

Acicular. - Slender, needle-shaped. (L. acicula.)

Aciculate. - Covered with small scratches. (L. acicula.)

Acid. - (Scent.) A pungent sour smell. (L. acidus, sour.)

Acidotheca. - The case of the ovipositor, that portion of the theca enclosing the ovipositor.

Acies. - The extreme termination of the margin. (L. the edge.)

Acinacicate. - Falchion-shaped; curved with the apex truncate and growing gradually wider towards the end. (Pers. acinaces, a sabre.)

Acini. - Granulations. (L. acinus, seed stone.)

Aciniform. - Cimiter-shaped, one thick and straight edge, the other thin and curved. (L. acinus, and forma, shape.)

Acone eyes. - Eyes which have not a crystalline cone in their structure. (Gr. a, and konos, a cone.)

Acron. - The first segment of the Ant. (Wheeler.) (Gr. acros, at the top, the extremity.)

Acuductate, Acuducted. - Scratched across very finely as if with the point of a needle. (Constructed from L. acus, a needle.)

Aculeate. - Produced into a point; or as applied to Hymenoptera, furnished with a sting. (L. from acuo, to sharpen.)

Aculeate. - Furnished with prickles. Armed with sharp points.

Aculeate-serrate. - Armed with numerous short spines inclining towards one end, as do the teeth of a small hand-saw.

Aculei. - Small sharp points or spines. (L.)

Aculeus. - The instrument and appendages with which the female lays her eggs. (L. the sharp point, acuteness.)

Aculeus. - An appendage of the telum seen in bees - the sting. (L.)

Acuminate. - Ending in a prolonged point. (L. acuo, to sharpen.)

Acuminated. - Tapering to a point; pointed. (From L. acuminatus, pa. par. of acumino, to sharpen.)

Ad-. - A Latin prefix, signifying to.

Adermata. - (Pupa.) When the prior skin is thrown off, and the wings, antennæ, etc., of the future imago appear through the case. (From Gr. a, and derma, skin.)

Adductor coxal. - One of the powerful coxæ muscles. (L. ad, and duco, to lead; and coxa.)

Adherent. - (Pupæ.) See Pupæ adhaerenæ. (L. ad, and haereo, haesum, to stick.)

Adiaphanous. - Transparency of surface which does not transmit the light at all. (Gr. a, and diaphanes, transparent.)

Adminiculæ. - Elevated or indented stripes found upon many pupæ. Minute teeth on the dorsal surface of the abdomen of subterranean pupæ, by which they are able to reach the surface. (From L. adminiculum, a prop, an assistance.)

Adnate. - Growing to by its whole length, adhering or growing together. (L. ad, and natus, grown.)

Appressed. - Contiguous; pressed to. (L. adpressus, pa. par. of adprimo, to press to; ad, to and premo, to press.)

Aduncate. - Gradually bending from the direct line. (L. ad, and uncus, a hook.)

Ædaegus. - The structure attached to, and slung by its middle from, the roof of the pygofer. (From Gr. aidoia, the secret parts.)

Ædeagus. - The intromittent organ of the male with its appendages. (From Gr. aidoia.)

Æneus. - Bright brassy, or golden-green colour. (L. aenus, brazen.)

Æquata. - Equal. (L. æqualis, even, equal.)

Aeriducts. - Respiratory organs on the sides of the abdomen, tail, and trunk of aquatic larvæ and pupæ. (L. aër, air, and ductum, to lead.)

Æroscepsin. - A supposed unknown sense, of which the antennæ are, by some, believed to be the organs. (Gr. aër, air, and skopeo (skepsis, perception by the senses) to observe closely.) See Aeroscepsy.

Aeroscepsy. - The faculty of perception by the medium of the air ascribed to the antennæ of insects. (Gr. aër, and skopeo.)

Agamic. - Capable of reproducing without the agency of the male. (Gr. a, and gamos, marriage.)

Air-sacs. - An enlargement of the tracheæ into sacs or pouches, which are seen to lie superficially beneath the hypodermis in various parts of the body. (L. aër, and saccus, a bag.)

Aeruginous. - The colour of verdigris. (L. ærugo, rust of copper, verdigris.)

Agglutinate. - Fastened closely together, welded. (L. ad, and gluten, glue.)

Aheneus. - Bright brassy, or golden-green colour. (L. aheneus, brazen.)

Alæ. - The wings of insects. (L. ala, a wing.)

Alar. - Pertaining to the wings.

Alary muscles. - Muscles supporting the pericardial diaphragm. (L. ala, and musculus, a muscle.)

Alatate. - (Egg.) Provided with lateral wings. (L. alatus, winged.)

Alatate (alata). - (Tibia.) Winged, furnished with an attenuated dilated process, much resembling the extended membrane which constitutes the wing of a bat, but not so flexible. (L. alatus, winged.)

Alate, Alated, Alatus. - Winged; furnished with wings, or with projecting bodies resembling wings. (L. ala.)

Albidus. - A dirty, impure white. (L. albus, white.)

Albus. - Pure white. (L. albus.)

Alitrunk. - The term given to the fore-body of insects which have the prothorax reduced, and the three segments of the fore-body and first segment of the hind-body fused together. (L. ala, and truncus, trunk.)

Alliaceous. - (Scent.) A garlic-like smell. (L. allium, garlic.)

Allux. - “Toe Ball,” the third joint of the tarsi (remarkable in Rhyncophora). (L.)

Alula, pl. Alulae. - The alar appendage, a lobiform appendage at the base of each wing of Diptera;. “Little wings.” (L. ala.)

Alulet. - [See Alula.]

Alutaceous. - Covered with minute cracks. (From L. aluta, leather.)

Alveolate. - Furnished with cells. (L. alveus, a hollow.)

Alveole. - A cell. (L. alveus.)

Am-, Amb-. - A Latin prefix signifying about; around.

Ambient vein. - The term given to the costal nervure or vein when it completely encircles the wing. (L. amb, and iens, going; and vein.)

Ambulant. - Moving from place to place. (L. ambulo, to walk.)

Ambulate. - To move backwards and forwards. (L. ambulo.)

Ambulatorial. - Used for walking. (L. ambulo.)

Ametabolous. - Differing neither in form, structure, nor habits from the adult. (Gr. a, and metabole, change.)

Amethystine. - Resembling the purple splendour of the amethyst. (Fr. amethystin, resembling amethyst in colour).

Amnion. - The inner membrane continuous with the ectoderm of the primitive streak, which protects the developing embryo. (Gr. amnion.)

Amorpha. - Insects in which the pupa (provided with neither mouth nor organs of locomotion) bears no resemblance to the imago. (Gr. a, and morphe, shape.)

Amphi-. - A prefix in words of Greek origin, signifying both, about, around.

Amphipneustic. - A term given to one of the intermediate types between the Holopneustic and Apneustic tracheal systems. - When a pair of spiracles, situated at each end of the body, are open, and the intermediate spiracles closed. (Most Diptera larvæ.) (Gr. amphi, and from pneuma, air.)

Amplixicate. - (L. amplus, large.) See Dilatate.

Ampullaceous sensillæ. - More or less upright conical sense hairs, greatly resembling the cœloconic type; but the hair is more upright and smaller, while the pit which encloses the base is circular, much deeper, and opens on the surface by a small pore. (Berlese.) (L. ampulla, a vessel; and from sensus, the sense.)

Ampulliform. - Bottle-shaped; swollen; resembling an inflated bladder. (L. ampulla, and form.)

An-. - A form of the Greek prefix a; an abbreviation of the Greek prefix ana.

Ana-. - As a Greek prefix, means up, up or all through, back, again, according to.

Anal. - Pertaining to the anus. (L. anus, the fundament.)

Anal area. - (Wing.) That portion of the wing lying between the anal nervure and the posterior margin. (L. anus, and area.)

Anal angle. - (Wing.) The angle between the dorsum and the tergum (see Tornus). (L. anus, and angulus, an angle.)

Anal cleft. - A deep incision seen in the females of Lecaniinæ extending from the anal orifice. (L. anus, and Scand. clift, a cleft.)

Anal glands. - Two bilobed sacs extending from the base of the last, to the middle of the second abdominal segment. (L. anus, and glans.)

Anal nervure. - Nerve of the wing, separating the cubitus from the anal area. (L. anus, and L. nerve, a cord.)

Anal operculum. - (L. anus, and operculum, a lid or cover.) See Suranal plates.

Anal papillæ. - Four soft, white protuberances, situated on the posterior end of the body (ninth abdominal segment), surrounding the anus dorso-laterally and ventro-laterally of the Anopheles larvæ. (L. anus, or papillæ, small tubercles.)

Anastomosing. - Running into one another like veins. (Gr. ana, and stoma, mouth.)

Anastomosis. - The stigma; a spot in the upper wing, at the branching of the nervures, near the costal edge. The term is generally used to indicate the connection of nervures of the wing. (Gr. ana, and stoma.)

Anastomosis. - Inosculation, or the opening of one vessel into another, as of one artery or vein into another. (Gr. ana, and stoma.)

Anceps. - Two-edged. (L.)

Anchor process. - The curious, fleshy process situated close to the anterior extremity of the larvæ of some of the Diptera. (Cecidomyidæ.) (A.S. ancor, - L. ancora, a bend; and process.)

Ancipital. - Possessing two opposite edges or angles. (L. am, on both sides, and caput, the head.)

Androconia. - Small scent-scales found on the upper side of the fore wings, occurring in limited areas, such as the discal spots, or on the folds of the wings.

Angle. - Is that portion where the margins, or two parts meet. (L. angulus, an angle.)

Angular. - When the angular margins do not exclusively elbow outwards, but also inwards. (L. angulus.)

Angular. - (Pupa). (L. angulus.) See Pupæ Angulares.

Angulate. - Angular, having angles. (L. angulus.)

Anguloso-Undulate. - When fasciæ, strigæ, lines, etc., go in a zig-zag direction, or with alternate acute sinuses. (L. angulus, and unda, a wave.)

Angustate. - Beginning with a narrow base, then dilating and thickening. Disproportionately narrow in part. (L. angustus, narrow.)

Angustate (angusiatæ). - (Antennæ.) Contrary to Nodose; having the intermediate and terminal joints thinner than the remainder. (L. angustus.)

Aniso. - Unequal; a prefix to terms in natural history. (Gr. a, and isos, equal.)

Anisomorpha. - In which the metamorphosis is various. (Gr. a, isos, and morphe, shape.)

Annulata. - A province of animals in which the body is transversely divided into rings. (L. annulus, a ring.)

Annular lamina. - The sternal plates of the ninth segment in the Ants which lie in front of the genital appendages. (L. annulus, a ring, and lamina, a plate.)

Annulate. - Ringed; surrounded by a narrow ring of different colour. (L. annulus.)

Annulet. - A narrow differently coloured circle. (L. annulus.)

Ant-. - A prefix (see Anti).

Ante-. - Latin prefix signifying before.

Antefurca. - An internal process of the antepectus for the attachment of muscles. (L. ante, and furca, a fork.)

Antennæ. - The “Feelers”; two movable and jointed sensiferous organs, situated upon the head, generally between or before the eyes. (L. antenna, a sail-yard.)

Antennary. - Pertaining to the antennæ. (L. antenna.)

Antennary nerves. - [See Nervi antennarum.]

Antepectus. - The underside of the prothorax. (L. ante, and pectus, the breast.)

Antepenultimate. - The last but two. (L. ante, and pene, almost, ultimus, last.)

Anterior. - Before in place; previous. (L. ante, before.)

Anterior angle. - (Thorax.) The lateral angle near the head on each side. (L. ante, and angulus, a corner.)

Anterior margin. - (Wing.) The costal margin; the margin on the anterior side of the wings, extending from the base to the apex.

Anterior palpi. - The labial palpi.

Anterior wings. - The superior or upper wings.

Anthracinus. - Coal black, a deep shiny black, with a bluish tinge. (Gr. anthrax, coal.)

Anti-. - Greek prefix signifying opposite, against, or in place of.

Anticlypeus. - The anterior part of the clypeus to which the labrum is attached. (Sharp.) (L. ante, and clypeus, a shield.)

Antlia. - The oral instrument of Lepidoptera, in which the ordinary trophi are replaced by a spiral, bipartite, tubular machine for suction, with its appendages. It includes the solenaria, and fistula. (Gr. anti, and lego, to speak.)

Antrorsum. - (Direction.) Forward, in contradistinction to Rursus - backward. (Gr. anti, not, and L. rursus, backward.)

Anus. - The vent; the terminal portion and external opening of the rectum, situated in the end of the body in the tenth or eleventh segment; it is bounded on the sides by the paranal lobes, and beneath by the infra-anal lobes. (L. the fundament.)

Aorta. - The blood tube; a slender tube opening from the foremost chamber of the “heart,” and passing forwards to the head, ending in the neighbourhood of the brain in a trumpet-shaped opening. A special contractile sac is situated at the base of each antennæ, into which it propels blood received from the head cavity. (L. - Gr. Late L. aorta - Greek, meaning the great artery “rising” from the heart.)

Apex. - (Wing.) The angle between the costa and the outer edge. (L. apex.)

Apex. - The tip, point or summit. (L.)

Apex abdominis. - (L. apex, and abdomen.) See Cremaster.

Aphidivorous. - Devouring aphids. (L. aphis, a plant louse, and voro, to devour.)

Apices. - Plural of apex.

Apiculate. - Covered with fleshy, erect, short points. (From L. apex.)

Apneustic. - The term given to the closed or secondary and adaptive type of tracheal system. This type is distinguished by the want of stigmata, or, if present, they are closed and do not function. (Gr. a, and from pneuma, air.)

Apo-. - A Greek prefix signifying away from.

Apod, Apodal. - Without legs. (Gr. a, and pous, podos, the foot.)

Apodema. - A broad transverse band crossing the thorax in front of the scutellum seen in male coccids. (Gr. apo, from, and demas, the body.)

Apodemes. - Hollow conical sclerite, showing a pit outwardly and a tubular process pointing inwardly towards the body cavity in front of the metasternum, and serve for the attachment of muscles. (Gr. apo, from, and demas, the body.)

Apodous. - Footless. (Gr. a, and pous, podos, the foot.)

Apophysis. - An extra projecting piece or the prolongation of an existing organ (e.g., the coxal apophysis in Dytiscus.) (Gr. apo, and physis, growth.)

Apophysis. - The coxæ, the two small basal joints of the legs. (Gr. apo, and physis.)

Appendicle. - A movable organ, often biarticulate, which, terminating the surface anteriorly, covers the mouth from beneath, and is situated between the maxillæ. (L. appendicula, a small appendage.)

Appendicula. - [See Appendicle.]

Appendiculate. - Furnished with appendices, or additions of lines, furrows, or organs of the body. (L. ad, and pendo, to hang.)

Appendiculated. - Furnished with an appendicle; possessing appendicles. (L. appendicula.)

Apposed. - With their surfaces lying one against the other. (L. ad, and from pono, positum, to place.)

Approaching. - Converging. (L. ad, and prope, near.)

Approximate (ant. approximatæ). - (Antennæ.) When the basal joints are placed very closely together. (L. ad, and superlative of prope, near.)

Aptera. - An order of insects which undergo practically no metamorphosis, and are destitute of wings; the mouth is mandibulate or slightly haustellate. (Gr. a, and pteron, a wing.)

Apterous. - Wingless. (Gr. a, and pteron.)

Arachnoidæ. - A class of the Articulata, including spiders, mites, and scorpions. (Gr. arachne, a spider, and eidos, form.)

Arachnoideous. - Cobweb-like; resembling cobweb. (Gr. arachne, a spider, and from eidos, form.)

Araneidæ. - The spider family. [See Arachnoidæ.]

Arched nerves. - Two nerves arising from the two upper basal portions of the cura cerebri, connecting the central, and vagus nervous systems. (L. arcus, a bow, and nerves.)

Arcuate. - Bow-like; linear, and bent like a bow. (L. arcus.)

Arcuatus. - Arched; a margin in the form of a bow. (L. arcus.)

Areolate. - Furnished with small areas, like a network. (L. area, a vacant space.)

Areolet. - A cell, or enclosed space formed by the nervures of a wing. (L. area.)

Argenteus. - White metallic colour, silver-like. (L. argenteus.)

Arista. - A slender style or bristle, chiefly confined to the antennæ of Diptera. (L. arista, an awn.)

Aristate. - Furnished with hair. (L. arista.)

Armature. - The horny parts of the genitalia. (L. armatura, armour.)

Arolia. - The term used to the pulvilli according to the order of the insect.

Aromatic. - (Scent.) A pungent smell of spices. (Gr. aromatikos, from aroma, spice.)

Arquate, Arquated. - Bowed; arcuate. (L. arquatus, arched, bowed, curved.)

Arthricum. - The fourth joint of the tarsi. (Gr. arthron, a joint.)

Arthroderm. - The outer crust, or body wall of Articulates. (Packard.) (Gr. arthron, and derma, the skin.)

Arthromere. - The term denoting the elemental part of a jointed or articulate animal, the typical ring or segment. (Gr. arthron, a joint, and meros, a part.)

Arthropleura. - The pleural or limb-bearing region of the body; that portion of the Arthromere situated between the tergite and sternite; (Packard.) (From Gr. arthron, and pleura, a side.)

Articulata. - (Lacinia.) The term used when the blade of the maxillæ is united by a distinct and free joint, instead of a fixed sutural line. (L. articulus, a joint.)

Articulate. - Jointed. (L. articulus.)

Articulate fascia. - A fascia consisting of contiguous spots. (L. articulus and fascia, a band.)

Artus. - The instruments of motion. (L. a limb.)

Asperate. - Roughened, of sculpture. (L. asper, rough.)

Asper. - Rough or uneven. (L.)

Assurgent. - Declining at the base and rising in a curve to an erect position (Say). (L. ad, and surgo, to rise.)

Asymmetrical. - With one side of the body different to the other. (Gr. a, syn, and metron, a measure.)

Atavic variations. - Variations which recall a past stage in the history of the race. (L. atavus, an ancestor, and vario, various.)

Ater. - The colour of liquid ink, ink-like - sometimes termed Aterrimus. (L. black.)

Aterrimus. - [See Ater.]

Aterrimus. - Ink-like in colour. (L. ater.)

Atomi. - Atoms of colouring, large, and easily distinguished. (L. atomos, an atom.)

Atmosphere. - The term given to the exterior circle of the eye of colour (ocellus.) (Coined from Gr. atmo, stem of atmos, air, and sphaira, a globe.)

Atroceruleus. - Dark, deep blue, inclining to black. (L. ater, black, caeruleus, blue.)

Atrophied. - Imperfectly developed. (Gr. a, and trophe, nourishment.)

Atropurpureus. - Dark purple-to-black. (L. ater, black, and purpura, purple.)

Atrous. - The purest and most intense black. (From L. ater.)

Atrovirens. - Dark green to black. (L. ater, dark, and virens, green.)

Attennatus. - Provided with antennæ. (L. antenna.)

Attenuante. - (Antennæ.) Gradually tapering to the apex. (L. ad, and tenuis, thin.)

Attenuate, Attenuated. - Gradually diminished, tapering. Disproportionately slender in part. (L. ad, and tenuo, to make pointed.)

Aurantiacus. - Orange in colour; a mixture of red and yellow. (From L. aureus.)

Aurantius. - The colour of an orange. (L. aureus, golden.)

Aurelia. - Ancient term for pupa, or chrysalis. (L. aurelia, pupa of a golden colour.)

Aureus. - Golden, orange-like in colour. (L. golden.)

Aurichalceous. - The metallic yellow of brass. (From L. aurichalcum, yellow copper ore.)

Auricle. - An appendage resembling an ear. (L. auricula, an ear.)

Auriculo-ventricular openings. - The openings seen in the constricted parts of the dorsal vessel. (in composition, from L. auricula.)

Auritate. - (Egg.) Ear-like appendages placed at one end; ear-like. (L. auricula).

Auritus. - Furnished with ears (two little appendages). (L. auritus.)

Auxiliary optic nerves. - (L. auxilium, help, from augeo, to increase.) See Nervi optici secundarii.

Axes. - The horny pieces connecting the wings to the body. (L. axis.)

Axis. - A small prominent process at the base of the elytra, upon which it turns. (L. axis, an axis, axle-tree, + Gr.)

Axillary. - Springing from the point of union of two parts. (L. axis.)

Axillary incision. - [See Incisura axillaris.]

Azureus. - Clear brilliant blue. (F. - Arab. - Pers. azure, blue.) M.E. asur, azure. - O.F. azur, azure.