O. Orkin Insect Zoo: Glossary

Sources

THINGS TO CONSIDER:

To print out the Glossary, enter this on the location line:

http://NaturalPartners.org/InsectZoo/Glossary/

A
abdomen--the last of the three parts of the body of an insect

acacia--a large shrub or tree with thorns found in warm regions

acute--quick to respond to even slight stimuli; sharp

adaptation--modifications of an organism which enable it to better live in its environment

adult--developed fully or mature

aerate--to mix with air

aesthetic--something that is beautiful or artistic rather than useful or practical

aggregation--a group, body, or mass composed of many distinct parts or individuals

algae--a group of organisms that contain chlorophyll but which are not true plants because they do not have leaves, stems, or roots

allomones--defensive chemicals used by one species of insect to protect from attacks of another species

amber--fossilized tree resin

amblypigids--tailless whipscorpions, Class Arachnida

ambrosia--a kind of fungus that is grown by bark beetles in their tunnels

ambush--surprise attack

amphibians--cold-blooded, vertebrate animals that do not have scales; most amphibians lay eggs and go through larval stages during which time they breathe through gills and live in water

amphipods--small crustaceans which have bodies flattened from the sides

amplify--make larger, greater, or stronger

anopheline--related to the genus of mosquitoes (Anopheles), which transmit malaria to humans

antennae--(plural form of antenna) primary organs, used by insects for touching, smelling, and feeling vibrations; for some insects, antennae are used in place of eyes

antivenin--substance that prevents or reduces the effects of a venom

apiculture--beekeeping; raising and caring for bees

appendages--arms, legs, tails, etc., attached to bodies

Arachnida--class of arthropods containing spiders, scorpions, mites, and ticks; these arthropods have bodies with two sections, four pairs of legs, and no antennae

arachniphobia--fear of spiders

Araneae--name for the order that includes spiders; one of several orders in the class Arachnida

arboreal--living in trees

arid--excessively dry; having very little rainfall

arista--a long hair that comes out of the third segment of a fly's antennae; some are simply bare hairs while others are feathery

Aristotle--famous Greek philosopher who lived between 384 and 322 B. C.

aroma--pleasant odor or fragrance

arthropod--from the Latin "Arthropoda," meaning "jointed legs;" includes lobsters spiders, beetles, centipedes, and millipedes; arthropod bodies are made up of segments that are fused together and that are bilaterally symmetrical

assassin--one who murders someone important

attractant--a substance that attracts insects; pheromones are chemical attractants

B
bacteria--(plural form of bacterium) a large group of one-celled microorganisms; some species cause diseases such as pneumonia

basal half--at the base; nearest the body

Batesian mimicry--resemblance of a harmless species to another species that is protected from predators by repellent qualities such as bad tastes; members of the species who mimic the distasteful species are protected from predators because they appear to be distasteful also

beneficial--helpful; of benefit

bilateral symmetry--having matching left and right sides of the body; an ability that promotes forward movement

biodegradable--something which can be broken down by bacteria or other organisms

biodiversity--many different species living together in one habitat

bizarre--extremely odd appearance

bog--swamp; spongy ground

book lungs--main breathing organs of spiders located inside the front end of the abdomen; each book lung has several sheetlike leaves that obtain oxygen from the air

bracket fungi--a hard, shelf-like fungus that is broadly attached to the trunks of trees

bromeliads--tropical American plants that are usually epiphytes; Spanish moss and pitcher plants are examples

Bubonic Plague--a very contagious disease caused by bacteria transmitted by fleas; symptoms include chills, fever, and swelling of the lymph glands

buprestid--member of the family Buprestidae; metallic wood-borers also known as jewel beetles

burrows--holes in the ground used as shelter by animals; to dig such a hole or go under something, as an animal's skin

C
camouflage--using some means of disguise to conceal one's presence

cannibalistic-- eating the flesh of one's own species

canopy--spreading layer of tree branches at the top of a forest

Carboniferous period--period in the geological time table between 350 million and 260 million years ago, in which large forests grew and became the basis for the production of coal and carbon

carnivorous--meat-eating

carrion--dead flesh

castes--divisions of social insects; each caste has certain physical characteristics and carries out specific tasks

caudal--relating to the tail or directed toward the hind part of the body

cellar--an underground room; basement

centipede--arthropods with many segments and with one pair of legs on each segment; the front pair contain poison glands

cephalothorax--part of an arthropod's body that combines the head and thorax; the head and thorax are fused together

cerci--(plural form of cercus) sensory organs of an arthropod located on the back or hind end of arthropods

Chagas disease--a tropical American disease caused by pathogens transmitted by species of assassin bugs; symptoms include high fever, edema, and enlargement of the spleen, liver, and lymph nodes

chelicerae--one of two pairs of mouthparts of spiders; these are used to inject venom into the prey

chromosomes--structures that contain the genes of an individual

chrysalis--in butterflies, the pupal stage between larva and adult when the insect is in a hard case without a cocoon

CITES--an abbreviation for Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, a treated signed by 21 nations in 1973 to stop illegal trade of plants and animals

class--a group of related organisms below a phylum and above an order; insects are in the class Hexapoda in the phylum Arthropoda

claws--the sixth segment of insect legs

cleptoparasite--parasites that steal food that has been stored for the larva of another species

cobwebs--masses of spider web made by combfooted spiders (family Theridiidae) that are irregular or without a distinct form

cochineal dye--a red dye made from the dried bodies of female cochineal scale insects

cocoon--a casing made from silky thread spun by an insect larva to enclose the pupa stage

Coleoptera--insect order with hard forewings that form a straight line down the back; beetles

colony--members of the same species that live together as a group

compensate--make up for the loss of something

compound eye--an eye composed of many separate units, each receiving part of the image

conditioned--trained; changed behavior shaped by repeated exposure to some condition

conifer--any of a larger order of trees and shrubs that are usually evergreen and that bear cones; examples are pine, fir, hemlock, and yew

conspicuous--something that can be easily seen

consume--use up; eat

contaminate--to make impure; pollute

cornicle--short, tubelike projection at the back of aphid abdomens used for secreting defensive chemicals

coxa--first of eight segments of a spider's leg; first of six leg segments in insects

Cretaceous--geological period in which chalk deposits were formed and flowering plants appeared; this period began 135,000,000 years ago

crevices--narrow cracks

cribellate--spiders having a cribellum, a structure on the abdomen that can spin a special form of flattened silk

crops--plants grown for food

cross hairs--hairs or fine threads or wires used to define the line of sight when shooting at a target of any type

crude oil--unrefined oil

crustacean--arthropods with hard shells and two pairs of antennae; most crustaceans live in the water, including lobsters, shrimp, and crabs

cylindrical--in the shape of a cylinder

cytotoxin--substance that has a poisonous effect on cells

D
debris--what is left over when something is destroyed

deciduous--trees and shrubs that shed leaves each year

decomposition--rot or decay

defenses--ways of guarding against attack

defuses--make harmless or reduce the effect of

delicacies--special food; choice morsels

Devonian--geological period when plants and animals appeared on land between 405 million and 350 million years ago, the time before the Carboniferous period

diffuses--spreads out widely

digestive--relating to changing food into material the body can use for nourishment

Diptera--order of insects that have only two wings; includes flies, gnats, and mosquitoes

disperses--scatters about

diversity--being composed of distinct or unlike elements or species; widely different

docent--a guide in a museum or art gallery

Dolbear's Law--formula for finding the temperature using the chirps of a Snowy Tree Cricket; T=50+[(n-40)/4] where "T" is for temperature and "n" is the number of chirps per minute

dome--a high and rounded object

domestic--living with or cared for by people; farm animals are domestic animals, as are dogs and cats

droppings--bodily waste from animals

dry forest--a forest with trees adapted to long periods of dry weather (or no rainfall); a rain forest would be the opposite

dwarf--smaller in size than the usual member of a species

dung--animal droppings

dysentery--intestinal disease caused by microorganisms; the most obvious symptom of this disease is diarrhea

E
ecosystem--habitat composed of many different organisms that live together as one unit

elaborate--complicated

elbowed--bent in the shape of an elbow

elongated--made longer

elytra--(singluar form is elytron) the hardened front wings of beetles and other insects that cover and protect the hind wings

encephalitis--an infection of the brain and nervous system caused by a virus, often transmitted by mosquites

ensnare--trap

environment--everything in the living and physical world that influences or affects something living

enzymes--substances produced in living cells that influence a chemical reaction in the body but are not changed themselves; for example, an enzyme helps break down food for digestion

entomologist--scientist who studies insects; entomologists study insect physiology, behavior, form and structure, taxonomy, and ecology, as well as pest management and other disciplines that involve insects

epidemic--rapid spread of a disease; affecting many people at the same time

epiphytes--a plant that grows on another plant; epiphytes get both moisture and nutrients from the air and rain rather than from the soil

evolution--development of a biological group from ancestor to descendant over a long period of time

excrete--discharge waste from the body; for example, sweat glands excrete sweat

extinct--something that no longer exists

exoskeleton--shell-like body wall found on the outside of an arthropod and moved by internal muscles

expel--eject or force out

F
facet--the outer part of one of the parts of a compound eye

family--a group of related plants or animals forming a category ranking above a genus and below an order

fangs--piercing mouthparts of spiders and other Arachnida that are hollow and used for injecting venom

fatal--causing death

feces--animal waste products

femora--(plural form of femur) the third leg segment away from the body of an insect; also the third leg segment of a spider

filament--something that is threadlike in appearance

flourish--to do well or to thrive

forage--food for animals; to wander in search of food

forewings--the front wings of an insect having four wings

fossil--remains of plants or animals found hardened in layers of rock

fungus--(plural form is fungi) organisms that are plant-like but lack chlorophyll; molds, rusts, mildews, and mushrooms are all types of fungi

funnel--a cone-shaped utensil used to prevent spillage when pouring something

fused--joined together

G
gall--a lump on any part of a plant that is caused by an injury from insects, bacteria, or fungi

generation--the young produced by the same parents; from one stage in the life cycle to the same stage in the offspring

genetic--relating to the genes (genes determine the development of characteristics in plants and animals)

genetics--the biological study of the genes and and the part they play in heredity

genitalia--the external sex organs

genus--(plural form is genera) a classification of related animals in the taxonomy division ranking above a species and below a family; in scientific name of a species, genus comes first, is spelled with a capital letter, and should be underlined or written in italics

geometer--caterpillars and moths in the family Geometridae; the caterpillars also are called measuring worms

girdling--encircling

gland--body organ that forms secretions that can be used by the body or excreted from the body from the body

grooming--taking care of the appearance

groove--a long, narrow opening or depression

grub--larva of beetle that usually has short legs and is curved in a C-shape

Guadeloupe--island in the West Indies

guano--fertilizer composed of animal waste, especially bat droppings; used as food by some insects

H
habitat--the place where an animal or plant normally lives

habitation--home

halteres--knob-like structures on the metathoraxes of flies which help to stabilize the insects' flight and to stay on an even course in flight

Hemiptera--insect order having piercing-sucking mouth parts and front wings that form an "X" or "V"; true bugs include stinkbugs, bed bugs, squashbugs, and water striders

herbivorous--plant-eating

hindwing--the back wings of an insect having four wings

homo sapiens--human beings

Homoptera--insect order with piercing-sucking mouthparts similar to Hemiptera except the wings rest on the back in the shape of a tent; includes tree and leaf hoppers, scale insects, aphids, and cicadas

honeydew--a sweet part of plant sap that is excreted by aphids, leafhoppers, and other insects

hormone--internal secretion which controls the activity of some organ or tissue

host--a plant or animal in or on which a parasite plant or animal lives

host-specific--feeding on only a certain kind of plant or animal

hover--hang suspended in air

humidity--dampness in the air

hydrocarbon--an organic compound consisting of carbon and hydrogen

Hymenoptera--insect order with two pairs of filmy, membrane-like wings; includes bees, ants, and wasps

hypermetamorphosis--a type of metamorphosis in which the larva changes into different forms of larvae during its development

hyperparasite--a parasite of a parasite

I
imago--the final or adult stage in the metamorphosis of an insect

indicator--a tool or instrument used to measure something; some insects are used as "tools" to measure environmental conditions

ingenious--clever

infest--trouble or disturb frequently or in large numbers

insect--arthropod in Class Hexapoda whose body is divided into three sections: the head, thorax, and abdomen; an insect has three pairs of legs and usually one or two pairs of wings

insecticide--a chemical used to kill insects

instar--the stage of an immature insect between moltings; growth stages

instinctive--inborn in an animal or person as opposed to learned behavior

intertidal--that part of the shore above the low-tide mark

integument--outer layer that covers an organism or one of its parts; skin and shells are examples of integument

invertebrates--animals with no backbone or internal skeleton

iridescence--(adjective form is iridescent) the changing of color when moved; reflection of light to form a color different from the pigment of an object

isopods--members of an order of small crustaceans whose bodies have seven pairs of legs; includes the pillbugs and sowbugs

Isoptera--the name for the order that includes termites

J
jet propulsion--ejecting air, gas, water, etc., backwards to propel an object forward

Jurassic--the geological time period when dinosaurs existed and birds first appeared; this period came just before the Cretaceous period

K
kingdom--one of four divisions of the natural world--virus, bacteria, plant, and animal

knobbed--having round lumps (knobs); butterfly antennae have knobs at their ends

Kunga cake--bread made by natives in Africa from the pressed bodies of midges from the Family Diptera

L
labium--lower lip-like part of an insect's mouthparts

lac--a sticky substance left on trees by scale insects; this substance is used in making varnish and shellac

lamellate--having plates, scales, or layers

larvae--(plural form of larva) stage of an insect between the egg and pupa stages

laterally--of, at, from, or toward the side of something

leaf miner--insect larva that lives between the top and bottom surfaces of a leaf; discolored areas on the surface of the leaf demonstrate the leaf miner's presence

Lepidoptera--insect order that includes butterflies and moths; insects in this order have microscopic scales on each wing

lichens--a plant-like organism that grows in patches on trees, rocks, etc., which is actually a fungus and algae growing together

locusts--species of grasshoppers which destroy crops as they migrate from place to place in swarms

lubricates--oils or greases something to make it run smoothly

luciferin--an organic substance that is used by organisms such as fireflies to help produce light without heat

M
macrolepidoptera--large moths and butterflies

maggots--the larvae of flies which are wormlike in appearance and which live in decaying matter

maintenance--keeping something in good repair; supporting

malaria--disease transmitted by Anopheles mosquito bites and characterized by chills, fever, and sweating

mammal--warm-blooded animals that are vertebrates and usually have hair; female mammals produce milk in mammary glands

mandibles--jaws; mouthparts in insects used for capturing prey and biting

mange--a skin disease which causes scabs, itching, and hair loss

mangrove--a tropical tree or shrub that has prop roots that appear to be extra trunks; these trees and shrubs are important in coastal land building

maturation--the process of becoming full-grown

mechanical--like a machine

membranous--of or like a membrane

mesothorax--the middle segment of the three segments of the thorax of an insect

metallic--something that looks like or has the characteristics of metal

metamorphosis, complete--process in which an insect progresses through several distinct stages: egg to larva to pupa to adult

metamorphosis, incomplete--process in which an insect egg becomes a nymph, which then grows gradually into an adult

metatarsus--sixth of eight segments of a spider's leg between the tibia and the tarsus; insects do not have this leg part

metathorax--the back segment of the three segments of an insect's thorax

microscopic--tiny; invisible without the aid of a microscope

microhabitat--the specific environment in which an animal lives

microlepidoptera--moths that are small in size

microorganisms--an organism that can only be seen through a microscope

mid-Cretaceous--see "Cretaceous"

midges--small, two-winged flies

migrates--moves from one place to another as the seasons change

millennia--(plural form of millennium) periods of 1,000 years

miller--moth whose wings appear to be covered with dust as the clothes of a person who works in a grain mill would be

millipede--small, wormlike animal that has two pairs of legs on each of its many body segments; unlike the centipede, a millipede has no poison fangs

mimic--something or someone that attempts to resemble someone or something else

mimicry--close resemblance of one organism to another similar organism or to natural objects among which it lives for protection to the organism

miniature--small in scale

minute--very small; tiny

mold--a wooly or furry growth caused by fungus

molecules--very small particles of matter

molt--to shed the exoskeleton, skin, feathers, etc., before a new growth

morsels--small pieces of food

N
naiad--young of an aquatic insect (mayfly, dragonfly, damselfly, or stonefly)

nectar--sweet liquid found in flowers

nematode--roundworm, usually microscopic, parasite of plants and animals

neotropics--relating to the Neotropical region which extends south, east, and west from the central plateau of Mexico, and includes Central America and South America

neurotoxin--a poison that acts on the nervous system

nits--eggs of lice

nocturnal--active at night

nutrient--something nourishing

nymph--an immature insect in incomplete metamorphosis; it differs from the adult in size and in its incompletely developed wings and genitalia

O
Odonata--insect order with slender bodies, large eyes, and two pairs of equal-sized, transparent wings; includes dragonflies and damselflies

ommatidia--(plural form of ommatidium) scientific name for the individual parts or lens in each compound eye

omnivorous--eating both animal and vegetable food

order--a category in plant and animal classification that ranks above the family and below the class

organic--of or obtained from plants or animals

ornamental--a plant cultivated for decorative purposes rather than as food or for lumber, etc.

Orthoptera--insect order with straight, papery wings, and jumping hind legs; includes crickets, grasshoppers, and locusts

ovipositor--an appendage (or structure) in certain female insects used to deposit eggs

P
parasite--plant or animal living on or in another plant or animal from which it gets its food; the parasite often injures the host animal or plant; plants or animals that are parasites are said to be "parasitic"

parthenogenesis--reproduction with unfertilized eggs

parasitic--of or like a parasite

pasteurization--process of using heat to kill harmful bacteria in things such as milk

patella--fourth of eight segments of a spider's leg; in human beings the patella is the kneecap; insects do not have a patella

pathogen--something capable of producing a disease, especially a living microorganism or virus

perception--an understanding through observation

pedipalps--one of two pairs of mouthparts in spiders; the base of pedipalps can be used to crush food; in males, the tips are swollen and modified to transmitting sperm during reproduction

pesticide--chemical used to kill pests

petiole--the slender stem that supports the flat part (blade) of the leaf

phenomenal--remarkable

pheromone--any chemical substance emitted by members of a species that stimulates other members of the species to respond in a particular way

philatelist--a stamp collector

photosynthesis--the process by which organisms convert sunlight to energy

phylum--(plural form is phyla) division in the animal taxonomy that ranks below kingdom and above class; the phylum Arthropoda includes spiders, insects, and related animals

pigments--substances that give any object color, such as the scales on wings of butterflies and moths

pistil--the female part of a flower where the eggs are produced

plague--contagious disease that often is fatal; one form, the bubonic plague, referred to as "Black Death," is caused by bacteria that infect rats and is transmitted by fleas

pollen--a yellowish powder produced by the male parts of flowers and used for fertilization

pollination--transfer of pollen from one flower to another

polyembryony--producing two or more young from the same egg

potential--possible

predaceous (also predacious)--surviving by killing and eating other animals

predator--an animal that lives by killing or eating other animals

prehistoric--from periods before written history

prey--an animal hunted and killed for food by another animal

primary--main

primitive--from long ago; a very old form of something

proboscis--an insect's tubelike mouthpart which is used for piercing and sucking

prolegs--legs that appear on the abdominal section of insect larvae but not on the adult

pronotum--the top of the first segment of the thorax

prothorax--the first segment of the thorax; the prothorax is connected to the head

protist--single-celled organisms that are neither plants nor animals but that have characteristics of both

protozoan--a protist with animal-like characteristics

pseudoscorpions--tiny arachnids that have crab-like pinchers but no tail stinger and that feed on insects, mites, and other small invertebrate animals

pulp--the part that is left when most of the liquid is pressed out of vegetables, fruit, etc.

pulsing--regular beating

pupa--an intermediate stage that occurs between the larva and the adult insect; the pupa sometimes is enclosed in a cocoon or protective covering

pupal--related to a pupa

puparium--dried skin of a fly maggot that surrounds the pupa in much the same way as a cocoon surrounds a moth pupa

pupate--enter the pupa stage of metamorphosis

pygmy--any very small animal or thing

R
rafts--a mass of some type (such as insect eggs) that floats

rangeland--land on which cattle, sheep, etc., may graze

raptorial--body structures adapted for seizing prey

recluse--living apart from others; solitary

regenerated--grew back; formed new tissue

rectum--the end or lowest part of the large intestine

regurgitates--vomits

repellent--anything that repels an animal because it is distasteful or disagreeable

repertoire--a supply of skills or abilities

replete--fully or abundantly provided or filled; worker ant that stores liquid food in its abdomen; ant repletes remain permanently in the nest while other workers gather and transfer food to them (example: honeypot ants)

reproduction--the producing of offspring or young

resonate--continue to sound; vibrating sound

ritual--a routine that is followed on a regular basis

rodent--mammals that have two teeth in each jaw that are used for gnawing wood or similiar material; these teeth grow continually; rats, mice, squirrels, and beavers are rodents

roost--place where animals sit to rest; the act of resting at night

S
salinity--saltiness

saliva--liquid produced by the glands in the mouth

salivary gland--glands in the mouth that secrete saliva

Samoan--from the island of Samoa in the South Pacific

savanna--a grassland with scattered trees

scale insect--small insects in the order Homoptera that feed on and often destroy plants by piercing them and sucking the sap; females cover their bodies and their eggs with a secretion that forms scales

scales--flat, hollow hairs covering the wings of butterflies and moths

scarab--type of beetles; these beetles were sacred to the ancient Egyptians

scavengers--an animal that lives on decaying organic matter

secretions--a substance that is produced by some part of an animal or plant

secretive--not open; living in secrecy

sedentary--doing or requiring much sitting

segments--sections

senses--ways in which an organism knows what happens around it; the five main senses are sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell

sensillum--(plural form is sensilla) insect sense organ

setae--(plural form of seta) hairs that cover flies; bristlelike parts or organs found on animals and plants

sheath--the covering of a plant or animal

shellac--a liquid used to give a shiny, smooth appearance to wood and other surfaces

simple eyes--a single lens that tells the difference between light and dark

siphoning--using a tube-shaped organ for drawing in and expelling liquid

skipper--butterfly that moves (or skips) rapidly from flower to flower

social--insects living together in organized groups; ants, bees, and wasps are social insects

solitary--alone; one

species--a group of animals that can reproduce fertile offspring; species ranks below genus in classification divisions; a species name is spelled with a lower case letter and is underlined or in italics

specimens--representative samples that show what others look like

spiderling--young spider

spiders--arthropods with eight legs, two body sections, no antennae, and no wings in the Order Araneae; organs in their abdomens produce a silky thread for spinning webs which are used to catch insects for food, making egg cases, etc.

spines--a sharp, projecting part on an animal

spinnerets--organs used by spiders for spinning the silk used to make webs

spirals--the parts of a spider's web that widens or gradually goes out from the center of the web; the spokes of the web go across the spirals

spiracles--small openings through which insects breathe

spores--"seeds" of flowerless plants such as fungi

stamen--the male part of a flower that contains the pollen

sterile--incapable of producing offspring

steroids--chemical compounds that include sex hormones and cholesterol

stresses--pressures or forces

stridulation--process of making a shrill, grating noise by rubbing together parts of the body

subsist--to keep alive

supersonic--capable of moving at a faster rate than sound

swarms--a large group of insects that move about together

synthetically--made artifically with chemicals

T
tannic acid--acid made from the bark or galls of trees or plants and used in tanning leather and for making dyes, ink, and some medicines

tarsal--having to do with the tarsus, the fifth segment of the insect's leg

tarsus--(plural form of tarsi) fifth of six segments of an insect's leg and seventh of eight segments of a spider's leg; this segment bears the claws

taxonomists--scientists who deal with the naming and classification of biological species

terrestrial--land-dwelling

thoracic--of or relating to the thorax

thorax--the middle of the three divisions of the body of an insect

tibia--fifth of eight segments of a spider's leg; fourth of six segments of an insect's leg; in human beings, the tibia is the thicker of the two leg bones commonly referred to as the shinbone

time-lapse--photographs taken at regular intervals and condensed to record a slow process

toxin-laden--full of poison

trachea--an air tube in an insect; the windpipe in humans

trilobite--extinct, marine arthropods; trilobites had jointed legs and a body divided into three vertical lobes and several horizontal segments

trochanter--second of eight leg parts of a spider; second of six leg parts in insects

tropics--areas on the surface of the earth nearest the equator and farthest from the north and south polar regions

tsetse fly--blood-sucking African flies that transmit sleeping sickness in humans

tympanum--in insects a large membrane like the ear drum in humans for detecting sound vibrations

typhoid fever--infectious disease which is often fatal which is marked by diarrhea, intestinal problems, and skin rash

typhus--infectious diseases carried by fleas, lice, mites, and ticks that cause high fever, weakness, spots on the skin, and other symptoms

U
ultraviolet light--the invisible part of the light spectrum beyond the violet color

V
vegetation--growing plants

velcro--fastener made from two nylon strips

venom--poisonous matter normally secreted by some animals

versatile--capable of doing many things well

vertebrate--having a backbone

vibrations--rapid movements back and forth

vinegaroon--a common name for whipscorpions (not to be confused with true scorpions), an order of the Arachnida that have defensive fluids with the aroma of vinegar

virus--organisms that produce disease; viruses depend on the living tissue of their hosts for their reproduction and growth

visual--having to do with sight

voracious--eating greedily

W
warble--a bump under the hide on the back of an animal caused by the larva of a bot fly or warble fly

wriggler--the larva of a mosquito

Y
yellow fever--infectious disease marked by high fever, chills, and jaundice and caused by mosquitoes

yucca--plant found in warm areas in North and Central America; it has long, stiff, green leaves at the bottom and white, bell-shaped flowers at the top

Definitions adapted from the following sources:

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. 10th edition. Springfield, Massachusetts: Merriam-Webster Incorporated, 1996.

Thorndike, E. L., and Barnhart, Clarence L. Scott, Foresman Intermediate Dictionary. Glenview, Illinois: Scott, Foresman and Company, 1983.

Thorndike, E. L., and Barnhart, Clarence L. Thorndike-Barnhart Junior Dictionary. Chicago: HarperCollins Publishers, 1997.

Thorndike, E. L., and Barnhart, Clarence L. Thorndike-Barnhart Student Dictionary. Updated edition. Glenview, Illinois: HarperCollins, 1997.

Torre-Bueno, J. R. de la. A Glossary of Entomology. New York: New York Entomological Society, 1973.