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A small spot, shaped like a half-moon or crescent; as, the lunulet on the wings of many insects.

he host is bitten by a mosquito, the parasites develop into gametes in the stomach of the insect. These conjugate, the zygote thus produced divides, forming spores, and eventually sporozoites, which, penetrating to the salivary glands of the mosquito, may be introduced into a new host. The attacks of the disease coinci…

An extensive group of insects which are parasitic on birds and mammals, and feed on the feathers and hair; -- called also bird lice. See Bird louse, under Bird.

The anterior pair of mouth organs of insects, crustaceaus, and related animals, whether adapted for biting or not. See Illust. of Diptera.

An insect having mandibles.

Provided with mandibles adapted for biting, as many insects.

Having the form of a mandible; -- said especially of the maxillæ of an insect when hard and adapted for biting.

The scab or itch in cattle, dogs, and other beasts. Mange insect (Zoöl.), any one of several species of small parasitic mites, which burrow in the skin of cattle. horses, dogs, and other animals, causing the mange. The mange insect of the horse (Psoroptes, or Dermatodectes, equi), and that of cattle (Symbiotes, or Derm…

The anterior segment of the thorax in insects. See Insect.

Any one of numerous species of voracious orthopterous insects of the genus Mantis, and allied genera. They are remarkable for their slender grotesque forms, and for holding their stout anterior legs in a manner suggesting hands folded in prayer. The common American species is M. Carolina. Mantis shrimp. (Zoöl.) See Sgu…

Any neuropterous insect of the genus Mantispa, and allied genera. The larvæ feed on plant lice. Also used adjectively. See Illust. under Neuroptera.

Distinct markings resembling the variegations of marble, as on birds and insects.

hat constructs its nest, or brood cells, of hardened mud. The female fills the cells with insects or spiders, paralyzed by a sting, and thus provides food for its larvæ

the adult of the meal worm. See Meal worm, below. -- Meal moth (Zoöl.), a lepidopterous insect (Asopia farinalis), the larvæ of which feed upon meal, flour, etc. -- Meal worm (Zoöl.), the larva of a beetle (Tenebrio molitor) which infests granaries, bakehouses, etc., and is very injurious to flour and meal.…

Overspread with something that resembles meal; as, the mealy wings of an insect. Shak. Mealy bug (Zoöl.), a scale insect (Coccus adonidum, and related species), covered with a white powderlike substance. It is a common pest in hothouses.

The front median plate of the labium in insects. See Labium.

Applied to the ovaries of insects when they secrete vitelligenous cells, as well as ova.

The dorsal portion of the mesothorax of insects.

The scutum or dorsal plate of the middle thoracic segment of an insect. See Illust. of Butterfly.

The ventral piece of the middle segment of the thorax in insects.