GLOSSARY
Alternate
Leaves that are arranged singly along a stem; one leaf or bud at each node on alternate sides of the stem.
Aerenchyma
A spongy tissue with large air spaces found between the cells of the stems and leaves of aquatic plants, providing buoyancy and allowing the circulation of gases.
Aspirator
An apparatus used to suck insects into a collection container. The device can be simple (as in a mouth-aspirator) or mechanical (as in a gasoline- or battery-powered vacuum aspirator).
Basal
At the base of a plant or plant part.
Biological Control
The intentional use of a weed’s natural enemy for control purposes; also referred to as biocontrol.
Bolting
Plant stage at which the flower stalk begins to grow.
Capsule
A pod or seed vessel made of two or more cells, which becomes dry and splits open when mature to release its seeds.
Cuticle
The wax layer lining the epidermis of plant leaves, preventing dehydration.
Density
Number of individuals per unit area.
Diapause
Period of dormancy in insects.
Duff
Partially decayed organic matter on the forest floor.
elytron (pl. elytra) Hardened forewing of a beetle.
Epidermis
The outer layer of cells of plant tissue.
Emergence
Act of adult insect leaving the pupal case or re-appear-ing after overwintering.
Exoskeleton
Hard, outer frame of an insect that provides structure.
Frass
Plant fragments, usually mixed with excrement, deposited by feeding insects.
Host Specificity
The dietary restriction of an organism to a single or limited food (for herbivores: the number of plant species accepted as food), highly-evolved, often obligatory association between an insect and its host(s).
Inflorescence
The flowering structure of a plant.
Instar
The period or stage between molts in a insect larva.
Larva (pl. larvae)
Immature insect stage between the egg and pupa.
Leaf beetles
Small leaf-eating beetles.
Membranous
Thin and transparent.
Metamorphosis
The change from one life stage to another in insects, such as from larva to pupa.
Molt
The process of shedding the exoskeleton in insects during metamorphosis.
Monoculture
An area vegetated by a single plant species.
Nocturnal
To be active at night time.
Node
Points on a stem from which leaves, shoots, or flowers grow—also known as a “joint.”
Organdy
A fine, transparent cloth or fabric.
Oviposit
To lay or deposit eggs.
Perennial
A plant living more than two years.
Phenology
Chronological sequence (influenced by climate) of an organism’s life cycle.
Photosynthetic Tissue
The production of carbohydrates in plant cells from carbon dioxide and water in the presence of light energy.
Pubescence
The short, fine hairs covering a leaf, stem, or flower.
Pupa (pl. pupae) (v. pupate)
Nonfeeding, inactive stage between larva and adult in insects.
Quadrat
A specific area used to sample vegetation (e.g.,1 square meter).
Qualitative
Measurement of descriptive elements (e.g., age class, distribution).
Quantitative
Measurement of number or amount (e.g., number of seeds per capsule).
Senescence
Decline and death of an organism due to age.
Snout
The prolongation of the head of a weevil.
Synchrony
Occurring at the same time.
Thorax
Body region of an insect behind the head bearing the legs and wings.
Transect
A straight line or path through an area.
Variable
A quantity that has any one of a set of values, i.e., plant height.
Vegetative Reproduction
Reproduction in plants other than by seeds, such as from rhizomes, stolons, and from nodes on roots.
Viability
The proportion of seeds propagules (for example seeds) that are alive.
Weevil
A type of plant eating beetle, the adults having distinct snouts of variable lengths.
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