discoidal cell
- Pronunciation
- /dis-KOY-dul sel/
- Category
- Anatomy
- Singular
- discoidal cell
- Plural
- discoidal cells
Definition
A cell of the wings of certain insects, especially Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera, that is located near the center of the wing and often serves as a key feature in wing venation patterns important for species identification.
Etymology
From Greek 'diskos', meaning 'disk', and 'eidos', meaning 'form' or 'shaped'.
Example
The butterfly's discoidal cell can be identified by its unique shape and position on the wing.
Synonyms
- Median cell
Related Terms
- Wing venation
- Forewing
- Hindwing
- Crossveins
Usage Notes
The structure and presence of the discoidal cell can vary between species and is often used in taxonomic identification.