Page 646 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

Scolus (pl. scoli) Tubercles in the form of spinose projections CLASSIFICATION TERMS
of the body wall.
Order Primary taxonomic rank or unit used for
Senesce Decline with maturity, often hastened by classifying organisms.
environmental stress; to dry out seasonally (plants).
Suborder Division of an order higher than a family.
Sensilla Simple sense organ or sensory receptor that occurs
on an insect body. Superfamily Category below order and above family that
includes a series of closely related family groups.
Sequester Ability of caterpillars to absorb plant toxins and
then use them as defense in the adult stage. Family Level in the taxonomic hierarchy below the order
and above the genus.
Seta (pl. setae) Bristle or hair.
Genus Assemblage of species agreeing in one character or
Skeletonize Pattern of leaf feeding by caterpillars leaving only series of characters; the genus is indicated in the first part
a “skeleton” of veins. of the Latin species name—for example, by “Danaus” in the
Skipper Butterflies in the family Hesperiidae, named for their Monarch butterfly’s scientific name, Danaus plexippus.
“skipping” flight. Species Primary biological unit; individuals similar in
Slug caterpillar Caterpillars of moths in the family appearance and structure mating freely and producing
Limacodidae that resemble slugs. young that themselves mate freely and bear fertile offspring
resembling each other and their parents. This is indicated in
Speciose Rich in species. the second part of the scientific name. For example, in the
Spicule Narrow, pointed, hardened, prickle-like projection. name Danaus plexippus, “plexippus” is the species within
the genus Danaus.
Spiracle External tracheal opening on the side of an insect’s
644 thorax and abdomen through which air and water vapor pass Subspecies Geographical or host variation of a species,
in and out during respiration. denoted by an additional defining scientific name, such as
“langei” in Apodemia mormo langei.
Spiracular Of, or pertaining to, the spiracle.
Unassigned Designation when morphology and taxonomy
Stemmata Lateral eyes of caterpillars and arranged in of a species, family, or superfamily is too confused or
a semicircle. insufficiently researched to be assigned full taxonomic
status at all levels.
Stipule Small, stalk-like outgrowths at the base of a
leaf petiole.
Swallowtails Butterflies in the family Papilionidae named
for the short tail or tails on each hindwing.
Synchronous Occurring at the same time—for example,
the hatching of a batch of eggs.
Thoracic Of, or pertaining to, the thorax.
Thorax Portion of the body between the head and
the abdomen.
Tracheole Small, delicate tubules radiating out from
the spiracles.
Treefall gap Distinguishable hole in a forest with vertical sides,
usually caused by a falling tree or large limb.
Trichome Very fine bristle or hairlike structure.
True leg Jointed walking structure on the thorax of insect
larvae and adults, also known as thoracic leg.
Tubercle Knobby protuberance on a caterpillar or pupa.
Urticating Stinging.
Vegetative succession Natural temporal sequence of flora
in a habitat from grasses to bushes to trees.
Venter Midline of the underside or lower surface.
Ventral Of, or pertaining to, the lower side, or ventrum.
Ventrolateral Located between the side and the lower surface.
Ventrum Underside or lower surface.
Vermiform Wormlike.
Verrucae Elevated, chitinous plate on the integument, often
bearing a group of radiating setae.
Webbing Silk produced by caterpillars for support or
for defense, or for both.
Xeric Characterized by, or tolerant of, dry conditions.