oviposition
- Pronunciation
- /oh-vuh-puh-ZISH-uhn/
- Category
- Behavior
- Singular
- oviposition
- Plural
- ovipositions
Definition
The act or process of laying eggs by female insects or arachnids.
Etymology
From Latin 'ovum', meaning 'egg', and 'positio', meaning 'placement'.
Example
The female mosquito uses her specialized ovipositor to facilitate oviposition in stagnant water.
Synonyms
- Egg laying
Related Terms
Usage Notes
Oviposition can involve selecting specific sites for laying eggs to ensure the optimal survival of the offspring.