Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Glossary » P » proboscis, proboscises, proboscides

proboscis, proboscises, proboscides

Fly proboscis
Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
No Taxon (Glossary)
No Taxon (P)
No Taxon proboscis, proboscises, proboscides
Pronunciation
pro-BOSS-iss
Explanation of Names
From Greek proboskis, trunk (as of an elephant) (1). That word from roots pro, before and boskein to feed (Wikipedia).
Identification
proboscis noun, plural proboscises or proboscides - a modified mouthpart used for siphoning liquids. When present in flies (diptera), it is a modified labium. In butterflies and moths (lepidoptera), and some other groups, it is a modification of the maxillae.

Photos showing insects with a prominent proboscis:

See Also
mouthparts
maxilla
labium
Print References
Gordh, A Dictionary of Entomology, p. 734 (1)
Internet References
Mouthparts and Moving--Gary Brewer, North Dakota State University (excellent illustrations and descriptions)
Wikipedia
Wiktionary
Works Cited
1.A Dictionary of Entomology
George Gordh, David H. Headrick. 2003. CABI Publishing.
Contributed by Cotinis on 19 May, 2007 - 3:31am
Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset
Last updated 12 September, 2017 - 7:05pm

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2024 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by:

Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology at Iowa State University logo