Glossary terms beginning with O

Ocelli

ocelli are simple light detecting organs.
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Ocular tubercle

cf. Ocularium - a raised structure on the body of an Opilione that contains the eyes.

Ocularium

a raised structure on the body of an Opilione that contains the eyes.
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Odonata

the Odonata (or dragonflies and damselflies) are an Order of insects. They have large, membranous wings and the larvae are usually aquatic predators.
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Oestridae

cf. Botfly - a family of true flies with larvae that are parasitic on humans and other mammals.

Ommatidia

the individual unit within an insect's compound eye.
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Omnivore

omnivores are animals whose diet is primarily composed of a mixture of plant and animal matter.
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Onisciform

a term used to describe the body shape of insect larvae that are flat and broad.
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Onomatophore

cf. Type specimen - a specimen that acts as the name bearer for a species.

Ootheca

a type of egg mass produced by several different groups of insect including Praying mantids and Cockroaches.
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Opiliones

eight-legged invertebrates within the Class Arachnida.
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Opisthosoma

cf. Abdomen - one of the three main body parts of an insect and one of the two main body parts of spiders.

Order

one of the seven taxonomic ranks used to classify living organisms. Order comes after Class and before Family.
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Orthoptera

the Orthoptera (or grasshoppers and crickets) are an Order of insects. They commonly have large hind legs that are used for jumping.
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Ovary

female reproductive organ that produces eggs.
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Oviparity

reproducing by means of laying eggs.
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Ovipositor

a tube that is used for laying eggs.
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Ovum

cf. Egg - the first stage in the life cycle of many insects and other animals.

Owlet moths

cf. Noctuid - moths within the family Noctuidae.