wunder · Library

Part 108

Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology · John Bernhard Smith — chapter 108 of 164 · ~364 words · public domain

Read in the Wunder reader — free

Peritreme: the corneous selerite surrounding a spiracle.

Peritrophic membrane: a funnel-like extension of the fore-gut, extending back tube-like, through the chylific ventricle in some insects.

Perivisceral: the cavity containing the alimentary canal and its appendages.

Perlate: beaded: bearing relieved, rounded points in series.

Perpendicular: upright: at right angles to horizontal.

Persicinus: the red of peach blossoms.

Persistent: remaining constantly; always present.

Personate: gaping wide open; masked; disguised.

Pes, Pedes: a foot feet.

Petiolar area or Petiolarea: on the metanotum of some Hymenoptera, the apical or hindmost of the three median cells 3d median area; apical area.

Petiolate: that series of Hymenoptera in which there is a slender stalk between the thorax and abdomen: = apocrita.

Petiolate: supported or placed on a stem or stalk; usually applied in describing venation and the method of attachment of abdomen to thorax.

Petiole: a stem or stalk: specifically the slender segment between the thorax and abdomen in many Hymenoptera, and some Diptera.

Phaeism: applied to a duskiness of butterflies occurring in a limited region.

Phagocyte: a corpuscle or cell that devours or absorbs noxious organisms and also absorbs the organs of the larval stage in the developments to the adult condition.

Phagocytosis: the destruction or devouring of bacteria or other microorganisms by phagocytes.

Phalaenae: a Linnean term embracing most of the heterocerous Lepidoptera: more specifically applied to the Geometridae.

Phalanx -ges: a joint or joints of the tarsus: a division of classification of uncertain value: similar to tribe.

Phalerated: beaded.

Phallus: =penis: q.v.

Pharyngeal pump: = sucking pump; q.v.

Pharynx: the back part of the mouth and upper part of the throat: a slight enlargement at the beginning of the oesophagus: in Diptera is sometimes restricted to the space between the hypopharynx and sub-clypeal pump, and is then = sub-clypeal tube.

Phauloptera: an ordinal term for the scale insects (Laporte 1835).

Phleboptera: = Hymenoptera; q.v.

Phonetic: sound producing; applied to stridulating structures.

Phosphorescent: shining or glowing in the dark, like phosphorus.

Photogenic: a light producing structure; producing a Phosphorescent glow.

Phragma: a partition or dividing membrane: longitudinal, thin partitions passing down from the dorsum of meso- and meta-thorax: the partition formed by the inflexed hinder edge of prothorax.

← Previous chapterAll chaptersNext chapter →

Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology · The Wunder Library — complete classics, free to read, with narration.

© 2026 Wunder Learning LLC · Terms & Privacy