Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology Part 51

Metastoma: in Orthoptera:= hypopharynx: q.v.

Metatarsus: applied to basal joint of tarsus, where that differs greatly in length or otherwise from the other joints: see sarothrum.

Metatergum: = metanotum; q.v.

Metathoracotheca: the pupal covering of the meta-thorax.

Metathorax: the third thoracic ring or segment; bears the hind legs and second pair of wings; variably distinct; sometimes closely united with the mesothorax and sometimes appearing as a portion of the abdomen.

Metatype: is a specimen named by the author after comparison with the type; according to some, it should be also a topotype.

Metazona: in Orthoptera, the dorsal surface of the prothorax behind the princ.i.p.al sulcus.

Metepimeron: in Odonata, lies behind the second lateral suture and extends ventrally to the sternum.

Metepisternum: in Odonata, is the sclerite between the first and second lateral thoracic sutures.

Meter: the standard of length in the metric system = 39.37 inches: see centimeter and millimeter.

Meticulose -us: is a maculation in the form of a series of colored flames.

Metinfraepisternum: in Odonata; the sclerite just above base of 3d c.o.xa; below metepisternum and before metepimeron.

Metochy: the relation borne to ants by the tolerated guests in ant-hills; demanding nothing from and giving nothing to the ants; see symphily and synecthry.

Metopidium: the anterior declivous surface of prothorax in Membracidae.

Micans: s.h.i.+ning: also a surface of which only parts are s.h.i.+ning.

Microchaetae: small bristles, as opposed to macrochaetae, in Diptera.

Microergates: the dwarf workers among ants.

Micron: the unit of microscopic measurement = 001 mm.: represented by the symbol : the symbol represents .001 of a micron.

{Scanner's note: the notation would no longer be valid.}

Micropterous: small winged.

Micropterism: the tendency to produce small wings; applied to a line of variation.

Micropyles: minute openings in the egg, through which spermatozoa enter.

Microsomites: small secondary rings or somites of the macrosomites in the embryo, which afterward become the body segments.

Microthorax: a supposed thoracic ring between the head and prothorax.

Middle apical area: = internal area; q.v.

Middle field: = discoidal field; q.v.

Middle lobes: of p.r.o.notum in Orthoptera; see lobes.

Middle pleural area: in Hymenoptera; the median of the three areas between lateral and pleural carinae: = 2d pleural area.

Mid-dorsal thoracic Carina: a ridge or elevated line at the meeting of the mesepisterna in Odonata.

Mid-gut: the chylific ventricle with the caecal glands, tubes or pouches.

Mid-intestine: = mid-gut.

Migrants: applied to that brood of plant lice which flies from one to an alternate food plant: any forms that fly from the place where they were born for food or other purposes.

MM.: = Millimeter: .001 meter = .039 of an inch: roughly 25 mm. are counted to an inch in measuring insects. {Scanner's comment: modern usage is lower case. So: mm.}

Mimetic: when a species mimics or resembles another or some other object in appearance; but not in structure and other characters.

Mimicry: strictly, the resemblance of one animal to another not closely related animal, living in the same locality; often loosely used to denote also resemblance to plants and inanimate objects: Batesian mimicry is where one of two similar species is distasteful (so-called model), the other not distasteful (so-called mimic);

Mullerian mimicry is where both species are distasteful.

Mines: applied to galleries or burrows between upper and under surface of leaf tissue, when made by larvae: they are linear, when they are narrow and only a little winding; serpentine, when they are curved or coiled, becoming gradually larger to a head-like end: trumpet-mines, when they start small and enlarge rapidly at tip; blotch mines, when they are irregular blotches tentiform, when the blotch mines throw the leaf into a fold on one side.

Miniate -us: of the color of red lead [vermilion with a slight admixture of dragon's blood].

Mirror: in Cicada; see specular membrane.

Mitosoma: the middle piece of a developing spermatozoon.

Mobile: movable: having the power of motion.

Model: see mimicry.

Modioliform: globular, truncated at both ends; like the hub of a wheel.

Mola or Molar: the ridged or roughened grinding surface of the mandible: when the mandible is compound, the molar corresponds to the subgalea of maxilla.

Mona.r.s.enous: that kind of union where one male suffices for many females.

Moniliform: beaded like a necklace.

Monochromatic: of one color throughout.

Monodactyle: with a single movable claw which closes on the tip of the other leg structures as in some parasitica.

Monodomous: ants in which each colony has one nest only.

Monoecious: when both s.e.xual elements or glands exist in one individual.

Monogamous: a union where a female is fertilized by one male only.