What does osmeterium mean?
Definitions for osmeterium
os·me·teri·um
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word osmeterium.
Wikipedia
Osmeterium
The osmeterium is a defensive organ found in all papilionid larvae, in all stages. The organ is situated in the prothoracic segment and can be everted when the larva feels threatened. The everted organ resembles a fleshy forked tongue (not unlike a snake tongue), and this along with the large eye-like spots on the body might be used to startle birds and small reptiles. The osmeterial organ remains inside the body in the thoracic region in an inverted position and is everted when the larva is disturbed in any way emitting a foul, disagreeable odor which serves to repel ants, small spiders and mantids. To humans, this odour is rather strong but pleasant, usually smelling like a concentrated scent of the caterpillar’s food plant and pineapple. The constitution of the osmeterial secretion varies from species to species and contains monoterpene hydrocarbons, sesquiterpenic compounds or a mixture of aliphatic acids and esters The fine structure of the osmeterium of Papilio demoleus libanius Fruhstorfer has been studied and found to contain 3 types of specialised cells for synthesis, acid secretion, and storage of the osmeterial secretion.
Wikidata
Osmeterium
The osmeterium is a fleshy organ found in the prothoracic segment of larvae of Swallowtail butterflies including Birdwings. This organ emits odorous compounds believed to be pheromones. Normally hidden, this forked structure can be everted when the caterpillar is threatened, and used to emit a foul-smelling secretion containing terpenes. These chemicals vary from species to species. The fine structure of the osmeterial glands of Papilio demoleus libanius Fruhstorfer have been studied and found to have three kinds of cells including ellipsoid gland cells.
Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
Osmeterium
os-mē-tē′ri-um, n. an organ devoted to the production of an odour, esp. the forked process behind the head of certain butterfly-larvæ:—pl. Osmetē′ria.
Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of osmeterium in Chaldean Numerology is: 5
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of osmeterium in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3
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"osmeterium." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 6 May 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/osmeterium>.
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