Oviscape
- Pronunciation
- /OH-vuh-skayp/
- Category
- Anatomy
- Singular
- Oviscape
- Plural
- Oviscapes
Definition
A tubular extension of the abdomen of certain female flies, particularly Tephritidae (fruit flies), used to facilitate the laying of eggs.
Etymology
From Latin 'ovum', meaning 'egg', and 'scapus', meaning 'shaft' or 'stalk'.
Example
The oviscape of the Mediterranean fruit fly enables it to deposit eggs deep within fruit.
Synonyms
Related Terms
- Tephritidae
- Abdomen
- Egg-laying
Usage Notes
The oviscape is a specialized structure that varies in length and shape across different species of flies.