Photoperiodic clock
- Pronunciation
- /fuh-toh-pee-RIH-od-ik klohk/
- Category
- Behavior
- Singular
- Photoperiodic clock
- Plural
- Photoperiodic clocks
Definition
A biological clock system in insects that uses changes in day length to regulate developmental and behavioral processes.
Etymology
From Greek 'photo-', meaning 'light', and 'periodos', meaning 'period'.
Example
The photoperiodic clock in some species of insects, like the American elm leaf miner, triggers diapause when the day length becomes shorter.
Related Terms
- Photoperiodism
- Diapause
- Daylength
- Hormones
Usage Notes
Photoperiodic clocks are often synchronized with the seasonal changes in the environment.