Ovipositor

Pronunciation: /oh-vuh-POH-zih-tur/

Category: Anatomy

Singular: Ovipositor

Plural: Ovipositors

Definition

A specialized organ used by some female insects and arachnids to lay eggs, often capable of piercing surfaces to deposit the eggs in a protected location.

Etymology

From Latin 'ovum', meaning 'egg', and 'positor', meaning 'placer' or 'one who positions'.

Example

The female parasitic wasp uses its ovipositor to insert eggs into the body of a host insect.

Synonyms

Egg-laying organ

Related Terms

Egg
Reproduction
Insect
Arachnid

Usage Notes

The structure and function of the ovipositor can vary widely among different species, adapted to the specific requirements of their reproductive strategies and environments.