Xenic Culture

Definition

A technique in entomology and microbiology where organisms are cultivated in an environment with other living organisms, but not necessarily in a completely controlled or sterile environment.

Etymology

From Greek 'xenos', meaning 'stranger' or 'foreign', and 'culture', referring to the act of raising organisms in controlled environments.

Example

Xenic cultures are essential for studying interactions between insects and their symbiotic microorganisms.

Related Terms

• Axenic Culture
• Microbial interactions
• Symbiosis

Usage Notes

Xenic cultures allow researchers to understand how insects interact with their natural microbial flora, providing insights into their ecology and evolution.