Page 644 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

GLOSSARY

Aggregation Gathering of a large number of individuals, Cyanogenic Capable of producing hydrogen cyanide; some
usually for protection. caterpillars acquire toxic cyanogenic compounds from plants,
making the larvae distasteful to predators, and some species
Anal comb Sclerotized, ventral projection above the anus that are also able to create the chemicals themselves.
larvae, mainly Hesperiidae, use to eject frass.
Diapause Period of physiologically controlled dormancy
Anterior Toward the front.
in which development or activity is suspended, and the
Apex Highest point; the tip. organism is unresponsive to normally favorable stimuli,
such as warmer temperatures.
Aposematic, aposematically Brightly colored, usually as a
warning defense by toxic organisms. Dimorphic Occurring in two different forms; a term used
especially for sexual differences within a species.
Bagworm Caterpillar of the Psychidae family that constructs
a case around itself from materials within its habitat. Disruptive coloration Patterning and coloration serving to
642 help an organism blend into the background.
Barren Type of scrubby woodland usually dominated by one
or two tree species. Disturbed Describing a habitat or environment altered
by man.
Batesian mimicry Form of mimicry in which a harmless
species has evolved to resemble a harmful species in order Diurnal Active during daylight hours.
to avoid predation.
Dorsal Pertaining to, or of, the dorsum (back).
Biennial Having a two-year cycle. Dorsolateral Located between the side and the back.
Bifid Divided or branched into two parts. Dorsum On, or near, the back.
Birdwing Butterflies in the Papilionidae family that belong Ecdysial suture Thin areas in the cuticle that rupture during
to the genera Trogonoptera, Troides, and Ornithoptera. a molt and allow a new instar, or stage, to issue from the
Bluff Steep headland, promontory, riverbank, or cliff. old integument.
Boreal Of cool, northern climes. Ecdysis Process of molting in which the old growth-limiting
exoskeleton splits, which allows a larger stage to emerge
Brood Group of young (larvae) hatched at one time from the and grow.
same mother.
Eclosion Emergence of an adult insect from a pupa, or a larva
Brushfoot Butterflies in the family Nymphalidae. from an egg.
Cauda (pl. caudae) Tail or any taillike process. Endophagous Feeding within a host.
Caudal Of, or pertaining to, the tail or taillike process. Epicranium Upper part of the head capsule.
Chalaza Hardened lump on a caterpillar that bears more than Epidermis Cellular layer of the integument that lies beneath
one seta. and secretes the cuticle.
Chrysalis (pl. chrysalids or chrysalides) Pupal (resting) stage Estivation Period of summer dormancy or torpor to avoid
before adulthood. stress in excessively hot or dry conditions.
CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Eversible Capable of being everted, turned outward or inside
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, a multilateral agreement out; used in regard to a larval osmeterium.
that came into force in 1975 and is designed to ensure that
international trade in wildlife and plant specimens does not Exudate Any substance discharged from a cell, organ,
threaten any species’ survival. or organism.
Claspers Posterior pair of prolegs, also known as anal prolegs. Filament Threadlike, slender process of uniform diameter.
Cloud forest Tropical or subtropical, evergreen, montane Flagellum (pl. flagella) Lash or filament-like appendage.
moist forest characterized by persistent cloud cover.
Flocculent Description of soft, woollike flakes covering a
Clypeus Shield-like plate at the front of the head between caterpillar body.
the labrum and the frons.
Frass Caterpillar fecal material.
Cocoon Silken sheath or envelope surrounding a pupa Frass pier Narrow extension of a leaf vein or small stick,
or chrysalis. composed of frass and silk produced by a caterpillar,
Cremaster Support hook or cluster of small hooks at the especially larvae of admiral butterflies of the Nymphalidae
terminal end of a pupa. family, and on which the caterpillar may rest.
Crochets Hooklike structures on abdominal prolegs. Frons Front part of the head above the clypeus and between
the eyes.
Crypsis Ability of an organism to conceal or disguise itself
to avoid detection. Gall Abnormal growth or swelling of plant tissue caused by
insects, mites, bacteria, fungi, or disease.
Cryptic Concealed, camouflaged, or not easily recognized.
Glaucous Covered with a fine powdery or waxy bloom,
Cuticle Outer covering of an insect, containing chitin and wax. causing the surface to appear whitish or bluish.
Cuticular Of, or pertaining to, the cuticle. Gregarious Grouping together, usually for defense.