Androconium
- Pronunciation
- /an-droh-KOH-nee-uh/
- Category
- Anatomy
- Singular
- Androconium
- Plural
- Androconia
Definition
Specialized scales found on the wings of male butterflies and some moths, which release pheromones used to attract females during mating.
Etymology
From Greek 'andro-', meaning 'male', and 'konis', meaning 'dust' or 'powder'.
Example
The androconia of the Monarch butterfly are used to attract females during the mating season.
Synonyms
- Scent scales
Related Terms
- Pheromones
- Scales
- Mating
Usage Notes
Androconia are often found in patches and can vary in shape and size.