ovipositor

noun

ovi·pos·i·tor | \ˈō-və-ˌpä-zə-tər,

ˌō-və-ˈpä-\

Definition of ovipositor

: a specialized organ (as of an insect) for depositing eggs — see insect illustration

Examples of ovipositor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These wasps lay their eggs inside their host using organs known as ovipositors, which are shaped like tubes. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Fossils Show Ancient Horrifying Xenomorph-Style Insects," 29 Aug. 2018 Parasitoid wasps like the Clistopyga crassicaudata typically have a long ovipositor to lay eggs that is also used as a stinger. — Laura Yan, Popular Mechanics, "Newly Discovered Wasp Has a Terrifyingly Large Stinger," 8 July 2018 Research already demonstrates that the differences in ovipositor length and body size in the yucca moths’ genomes are more pronounced, suggesting that natural selection has driven the discrepancy. — Sam Schipani, Smithsonian, "How a Tree and Its Moth Shaped the Mojave Desert," 10 Aug. 2017 In turn, the moth lays her eggs with its thin, blade-like ovipositor on the flowers’ seeds. — Sam Schipani, Smithsonian, "How a Tree and Its Moth Shaped the Mojave Desert," 10 Aug. 2017 When the styles are too short, the moths can damage the flowers with their ovipositor. — Sam Schipani, Smithsonian, "How a Tree and Its Moth Shaped the Mojave Desert," 10 Aug. 2017 Stinger and ovipositors are now separate in all insects except parasitic wasps, which often inject their eggs into a host with just a splash of paralyzing venom. — National Geographic, "The Worst Places to be Stung? Ask This Guy," 5 June 2016 Once the plant surface is covered, insects have a really difficult time inserting either their mouthparts or ovipositors into the plants to do damage. — Sally Mccabe, Philly.com, "June 16-22: In the garden, it's time to…," 16 June 2017 Stingers evolved from ovipositors, the tubes through which eggs are laid, which are, of course, found only in females. — National Geographic, "The Worst Places to be Stung? Ask This Guy," 5 June 2016

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