Crop
- Pronunciation
- /krop/
- Category
- Anatomy
- Singular
- Crop
- Plural
- Crops
Definition
A specialized section of the digestive tract in some insects, particularly in Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera, that serves as a storage chamber for food before it is passed to the stomach.
Etymology
From Old English 'crop' meaning 'a plant's yield', adapted in entomology to describe a storage organ.
Example
In honeybees, the crop is used to store nectar before it is processed into honey.
Synonyms
- Ingesta storage chamber
Related Terms
- Stomach
- Digestive tract
- Esophagus
Usage Notes
The crop varies in size and function depending on the insect species and their dietary habits.