SUCTORIAL INSECT Meaning and
Definition
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A suctorial insect refers to a specific type of insect that possesses a specialized mouthpart known as a proboscis, which is adapted for sucking or piercing and feeding on the fluids of plants, animals, or other insects. These insects belong to various orders including Diptera (flies), Hemiptera (true bugs), and Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths).
The primary characteristic of suctorial insects is their ability to extract fluid nutrients by creating a vacuum with their proboscis. This elongated, tube-like structure is formed by the fusion of modified mouthparts and is often coiled when not in use. Depending on the species and its feeding habits, the proboscis can be either rigid or flexible.
Suctorial insects have a wide range of dietary preferences. Some species specialize in consuming plant sap, such as aphids that pierce plant tissue and feed on the phloem. Others are blood-feeding pests of animals, like mosquitoes and ticks, which inflict bites on their hosts to access their blood meals. Additionally, certain suctorial insects may be necrophagous, feeding on the fluids of decaying organic matter.
These insects have undergone specialized adaptations to carry out their feeding activities effectively. For example, many suctorial insects secrete saliva that contains enzymes to facilitate the fluid extraction process. This saliva can also help paralyze or neutralize the host's defenses, making feeding easier.
Overall, suctorial insects are notable for their unique proboscis structures and feeding habits, allowing them to obtain necessary nutrients while adapting to a variety of ecological niches in the insect world.
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A mosquito or other insect which draws blood by piercing the skin.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for SUCTORIAL INSECT
- auctorial insect
- zuctorial insect
- xuctorial insect
- ductorial insect
- euctorial insect
- wuctorial insect
- syctorial insect
- shctorial insect
- sjctorial insect
- sictorial insect
- s8ctorial insect
- s7ctorial insect
- suxtorial insect
- suvtorial insect
- suftorial insect
- sudtorial insect
- sucrorial insect
- sucforial insect
- sucgorial insect
- sucyorial insect
Etymology of SUCTORIAL INSECT
The etymology of the word "suctorial" comes from the Latin word "suctus", which means "sucked" or "drawn in". The word "insect" comes from the Latin word "insectum", meaning "cut into sections" or "divided body". So, when combining both words, "suctorial insect" refers to an insect that has mouthparts adapted for sucking or drawing in fluids.
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