Download Monarch Terms

Monarch Terms:
Abdomen – (AB-duh-men): the elongate hind part of the body, behind the
thorax.
Adaptation – (A-dap-TA-shun): character that enhances the chances an
organism will survive and reproduce.
Antenna – (an-TEN-uh), plural, antennae (an-TE-nee): sense organ on an
insect’s head. In Monarch larvae, these are often confused with the tentacles or
filaments. Larval antennae are very small, while adult ones are much longer.
Aposematic coloration – (AP-uh-suh-MAT-ik): coloration that warns predators
of distasteful prey. Asclepias syriaca – (u-SKLEE-pee-us sir-I-uh-kuh): common
milkweed, the most common host plant for Monarch larvae in the upper
midwestern US. Monarchs also eat other members of the genus Asclepias.
Camouflage – a French word that means to hide or disguise. There are two
types of camouflage: protective resemblance and protective coloration.
Protective resemblance is when something looks like something else in its
environment. Protective coloration is when something has the same color or
pattern as its surroundings.
Chemoreceptors – (KEE-moh-ree-SEHP-tors): cells that sense the presence of
chemicals and relay that information to the organism. Taste and smell are
sensed through chemoreceptors.
Chrysalis – (KRISS-uh-lis), plural, chrysalides (KRISS-uh-lids): another name for
a butterfly pupa.
Cocoon – (kuh-KOON): a silk web that encloses the pupae of many moths, but
not butterflies.
Compound eye – (kom-pound): an eye made up of thousands of photoreceptor
units, known as ommatidia.
Costal margin – (kos-tahl): the area within the leading edge of the wing.
Danaus plexippus – (duh-NAY-us PLEX-uh-pus): the scientific name for a
Monarch butterfly.
Dichotomous key – a tool for identifying a species by narrowing down options
that limit description to certain features.
Discal cell – (dis-kal): located near the centre of the wing, it’s a noticeably large
cell.
Entomologist – a scientist who studies insects. The study of insects is called
Entomology.
Exoskeleton – a hard skeleton located on the outside of an invertebrate’s body
(in contrast to the internal skeleton of vertebrates) that protects it and serves as a
point for muscle attachment.
Forewing – (FOR-wing): either one of the two front wings on an insect with four
wings.
Frass – the waste product of larvae, called “caterpillar poop” by most students.
Monarch larvae produce a lot of this, especially in their later instars.
Hindwing – (HIND-wing): either one of the two rear wings on an insect with four
wings.
Inner margin – the trailing edge along the base of the wing.
Instar – a period between larval molts. There are five of these periods in the
growth of a Monarch larva.
Larva – (LAR-vuh), plural, larvae (LAR-vee): the second stage, after the egg, in
metamorphosis. Also known as caterpillar. Monarchs molt five times in their
larval state, which lasts about 9-14 days.
Metamorphosis – (met-uh-MOR-fuh-sis): series of developmental stages
through which insects become adults – a butterfly is transformed from an egg, to
a larva/caterpillar, to a pupa, to a butterfly. There are two types of
metamorphosis: incomplete (simple) and complete (complex). The four distinct
stages of metamorphosis found in butterflies are considered complete
metamorphosis. Incomplete metamorphosis does not have a prolonged immobile
(pupa) stage.
Migration – movement of an organism or group from one habitat or location to
another, usually periodic or seasonal movement of relatively long distance.
Mimicry – harmless animals that look like brightly colored, distasteful animals.
Molt – the process of shedding the skin or exoskeleton. Monarch larvae molt five
times.
Outer margin – the outside edge of the wing.
Palp – plural, palpi: paired appendages on an insect head used to sense and test
the quality of food.
Phenology – (fe-NOL-o-gee): the science of seasonal changes and their affect
on the natural world.
Pheromones – (FAIR-uh-mohns): special chemicals released by some animals
to communicate with other members of their species. They may be sensed over
long distances and can help mates find each other. They may also help ensure
that mating only occurs with other members of the same species.
Photoperiod – the amount of daylight hours.
Proboscis – (pro-BAHS-kiss): the adult Monarch’s feeding tube used for sucking
nectar. The proboscis is coiled under the head when not in use.
Pupa – (PU-puh), plural, pupae (PU-pee): the third stage in metamorphosis, after
the larval stage. In Monarchs, this stage lasts 8-13 days.
Pupate – to change from a larva (caterpillar) to a pupa (chrysalis).
Scales – overlapping pieces of chitin (the same material of which exoskeletons
are made) that insulate butterflies’ bodies and wings, improve their aerodynamics
and give them color and markings. Many people think the scales look like fine
dust on butterfly wings.
Thorax – middle section of an insect’s body. Wings, if present, and legs are
attached to this segment.
Warning coloration – bright colors advertising poisons or other harmful
defenses to potential predators. Also called aposematic coloration.