Gender
- Pronunciation
- /JEN-der/
- Category
- Taxonomy
- Plural
- Genders
Definition
In insects, gender is rarely used; instead, the term 'sex' refers to the biological characteristics differentiating males and females, determined by factors such as chromosomal composition and environmental influences.
Etymology
From Latin 'genus', meaning 'kind, type, or sex'.
Example
The female monarch butterfly lays eggs that will hatch into both males and females.
Related Terms
- Sex determination
- Chromosomes
- Sex
Usage Notes
In entomology and biology, 'sex' is preferred over 'gender' when discussing the biological distinctions between males and females.