A

Abdomen – The posterior division of an insect’s body which contains the digestive and reproductive organs.
Alate – Insects that possess wings like ants or termites.
Alitrunk – Part of the insect thorax that bears the wings.
Ambulatory – Relates to part of the insect adapted for walking.
Ametabola – Insects that require little or no metamorphosis for growth.
Antennae – Sensory structures on the insect’s head used for smelling, touching and sometimes hearing.
Antennal club – Enlarged tip of an insect’s antenna.
Anterior – The front of the body of an insect.
Anholocyclic – Aphids that reproduce parthenogenetically throughout the year.
Aposematism – Colourations on the body of an insect to scare off predators.
Arolium – Soft structures located between claws for adhesions.

B

Batesian mimicry – Harmless insects mimic their predators to make them undesirable.
Bibionidae – A family of flies with a characteristic swollen tibia.
Biforous Spiracles – Respiratory structure in insects with narrow and bi-chambered openings.
Bipectinate – Having hair-like projections on both margins of a structure.
Bivoltine – A species that produces two generations every year.
Blastokinesis – Movement of the embryo inside the insect’s egg.
Bursa Copulatrix – This female reproductive structure is seen in Lepidoptera which receives the male sperm.
Brachycera – Flies with short antennae.
Bristle – Hair-like structure on the surface of insects.

C

Callow – A newly developed adult insect that is soft and pale before the exoskeleton hardens.
Carnivorous – Insects that feed on other insects.
Caste – A group of insects within a colony that is morphologically and behaviourally distinct.
Cercus – A pair of appendages attached to the end of the insect’s abdomen.
Cocoon – A silky case around the larvae of many insects before pupation.
Compound Eyes – Visual organs in insects made of many units called ommatidia.
Crepuscular – Refers to insects that are active at dawn and dusk.
Cuticle – The external layer of the insect’s exoskeleton.

D

Dimorphism – Two different forms of a single species.
Diurnal – Insects that are active during the daytime.
Dorsal – The upper side of an insect.
Dufour’s Glands – A gland in some female insects that secretes pheromones.

E

Ecdysis – The process by which insects shed their exoskeleton.
Eclosion – When an adult insect emerges from its pupal case or a larva from its egg.
Ectoparasite – A parasite that lives on the exterior of its host.
Elytra – The hardened forewings of beetles.
Entomopathogen – A pathogen that infects insects and can kill them.
Entomophagy – Eating of insects.
Epicuticle – Waxy layer of exoskeleton that prevents desiccation.

F

Femur – The third part of the insect’s leg, located between the trochanter and tibia which is the thickest.
Frenulum – A spine that joins the forewings and the hindwings in moths.
Fungivory – Insects that feed on fungi.
Fossorial legs – Legs used for digging.

G

Galea – A structure on the maxilla of some insects used for manipulating food.
Gall – An unusual growth in plants induced by insects to keep their larva.
Gena – The area on an insect’s head below the eyes.
Gynandromorph – Insects that have both male and female characteristics.

H

Hematophagy – Insects that feed on blood.
Hamuli – Hooks located on the hindwings of bees that attach to the forewings during flight.
Hemocoel – Body cavity of insects that is filled with hemolymph.
Honeydew – Sugary liquid secreted by aphids that attracts ants.

I

Imago – The most sexually mature stage of a male insect.
Integument – The protective skin of an insect which includes the cuticle and epidermis.

J

Juvenile Hormone – Hormone that controls the larval stages and prevents premature metamorphosis.

K

Katatrepsis – Movement of the embryo in the insect’s egg before hatching.
Kleptoparasite – Insects that steal resources like food from another insect.

L

Labium – The lower lip of insects which forms the mouth’s floor.
Labellum – A spongy structure on the proboscis’ tip used for sucking.

M

Malpighian Tubules – Organ of excretion in insects.
Maxillae – Paired mouthparts in insects used for feeding.

N

Nectarivore – An insect that feeds on nectar.
Nuptial Flights – A flight where the queen and males of an insect colony disperse.
Nymph – The growing stage of hemimetabolous insects.

O

Ootheca – A protective egg case made by insects.
Ovipositor – An organ in insects used for laying eggs.

P

Parasite – An insect that lives on a host and feeds on it.
Pheromone – Chemoattractant used for communication in insects.
Phytophagy – Ability to feed on plants.

R

Rostrum – Mouthparts that look like a beak.
Raptorial – Structure used for holding prey.

S

Scopa – Hair on the surface of the bees that carry pollen.
Spermatheca – An organ in females that stores sperm after mating.

T

Tarsus – The foot of insects’ legs which are often in claws.
Tympanum – Hearing organ of some insects.

U

Uricotelism – Excretion of uric acid.

v

Viviparity – Giving birth to live offspring instead of laying eggs.