Glossary terms beginning with S

Saltatorial

a phrase used to describe the legs of some insects and other invertebrates that are modified for jumping.
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Saprophage

cf. Detritivore - detritivores are animals whose diet is primarily composed of decaying organic matter.

Saproxylic

pertaining or related to dead or decaying wood.
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Scarab

a family of beetles that have distinctively shaped antennae and are often metallic in colouration.
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Scarabaeiform

a term used to describe the body shape of insect larvae that are shaped like the letter C.
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Scorpion

an Order of predatory arthropods in the Class Arachnida. They are known for their characteristic pincers and sting.
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Scorpiones

cf. Scorpion - an Order of predatory arthropods in the Class Arachnida. They are known for their characteristic pincers and sting.

Scorpionfly

cf. Mecoptera - the Mecoptera (or Scorpionflies) are an Order of insects containing around 300 species worldwide.

Scrub-itch mites

cf. Harvest mite - mites within the Family Trombiculidae. The larvae of these mites, called Chiggers, are parasitic and can cause considerable irritation and swelling.

Semivoltine

a species taking more than one year to complete its life-cycle.
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Sericulture

the commercial culturing of silkworms to produce silk.
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Setting board

a grooved piece of wood allowing the correct setting of winged insects, especially butterflies and moths.
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Silk

a natural fibre produced by spiders and some insects.
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Silkmoth

moths of the Bombycidae and the Saturniidae families who have pupae surrounded in a silken cocoon.
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Silkworm

cf. Silkmoth - moths of the Bombycidae and the Saturniidae families who have pupae surrounded in a silken cocoon.

Silverfish

cf. Thysanura - the Thysanura (or three-pronged bristletails) are an Order of insects. They are wingless and possess three filaments at the end of the abdomen.

Simple eyes

cf. Ocelli - ocelli are simple light detecting organs.

Siphonaptera

the Siphonaptera (or fleas) are an Order of insects. Fleas are well-known parasites on vertebrate animals including humans.
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Siphuncle

cf. Cornicle - tubular projections from the abdomen of an aphid.

Skin beetle

cf. Dermestidae - a family of beetles often known as carpet beetles or larder beetles.

Skipjack

cf. Click beetle - a family of beetles known for their ability to fling themselves into the air. Their larvae are called wireworms.

Slug

cf. Mollusc - the molluscs (animals in the phylum Mollusca) are soft-bodied invertebrates including slugs, snails, squid and octopus.

Snail

cf. Mollusc - the molluscs (animals in the phylum Mollusca) are soft-bodied invertebrates including slugs, snails, squid and octopus.

Snakefly

cf. Raphidioptera - the Order Raphidioptera are primitive insects. The Order contains about 200 species and are more commonly known as Snakeflies.

Snow flea

cf. Mecoptera - the Mecoptera (or Scorpionflies) are an Order of insects containing around 300 species worldwide.

Social wasp

cf. Vespidae - insects in the family Vespidae within the Order Hymenoptera. They are more commonly known as the social wasps.

Species

Species is one of the seven taxonomic ranks used to classify living organisms. A species is a group of organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring.
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Spermatophylax

cf. Nuptial gift - items provided by a male invertebrate to a female prior to mating.

Spider

an Order of predatory arthropods in the Class Arachnida. They are known for their silk and webs.
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Spinneret

an organ that produces silk. Spinnerets are possessed by spiders and some species of insect.
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Spiracle

openings on the thorax and abdomen of insects that allow the insect to breathe.
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Spreading board

cf. Setting board - a grooved piece of wood allowing the correct setting of winged insects, especially butterflies and moths.

Springtail

cf. Collembola - the Collembola/springtails are one of the three non-insect hexapod classes of invertebrates.

Spurious claw

cf. Empodium - A lobe or spine between the tarsal claws of many insects.

Squama

cf. Calypter - a membranous flap that is located at the base of the wing in some species of fly.

Squamula

cf. Calypter - a membranous flap that is located at the base of the wing in some species of fly.

Stadium

cf. Instar - an immature arthropod between moults.

Sternorrhyncha

a suborder of the true bugs (Order Hemiptera). The Sternorrhyncha include insects such as aphids.
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Stick insect

cf. Phasmatodea - the Stick and Leaf insects (Order Phasmatodea) are insects well known for their camouflage. They are commonly kept as pets.

Stigma

cf. Pterostigma - a dark pigmented spot on the leading edge and towards the tip of the wing in some species of insect.

Sting

a sharp organ used by some invertebrates to deliver venom.
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Stinger

cf. Sting - a sharp organ used by some invertebrates to deliver venom.

Stomodaeum

cf. Gut - the main digestive organ in insects.

Stonefly

cf. Plecoptera - the Stoneflies (Order Plecoptera) are a small group of aquatic insect. There are a little under 40 British species.

Strepsiptera

the Strepsiptera are an Order of insects. They are parasites living on other insects.
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Stridulation

the act of producing sound, usually by rubbing two body parts together.
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Strike

cf. Myiasis - an infestation of the living tissues of a vertebrate animal by fly larvae.

Subesophageal ganglion

a mass of nerve cells that control the mouthparts of insects.
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Subspecies

a further division of species based on minor but constant differences in individuals.
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Sucking lice

cf. Phthiraptera - wingless ectoparasites. There are two main kinds of lice (Order Phthiraptera); the biting lice and the sucking lice.

Suction sampler

cf. Insect suction sampler - a device similar to a vacuum cleaner, used for sampling insects in undergrowth.

Sugaring

a way of attracting moths to a location using a sugary liquid applied to surfaces.
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Summer dormancy

cf. Aestivation - a period of summer dormancy.

Sweep net

a type of net used to collect insects from long grass.
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Symbiosis

relationship between two different species. The relationship may mean that just one species benefits, both benefit or neither benefits.
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Synchronous muscle

a type of muscle that beats once per nerve impulse.
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Syntype

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