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osmeterium, osmeteria

Black Swallowtail Caterpillar - Papilio polyxenes Black Swallowtail--Larva - Papilio polyxenes pipe vine Swallowtail scent glands - Battus philenor Pipevine Swallowtail - Battus philenor Eastern Tiger Swallowtail larva - Papilio glaucus
Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
No Taxon (Glossary)
No Taxon (O)
No Taxon osmeterium, osmeteria
Other Common Names
Osmaterium, osmateria
Explanation of Names
New Latin, from Greek osme smell, plus terein to keep, plus Latin diminutive -ium (1).
Identification
osmeterium noun, plural osmeteria - the large colored V-shaped fleshy process, which the caterpillars of the swallow-tailed butterflies (Papilionidae) protrude from a transverse slit on the dorsal surface of the prothoracic segment. The osmeteria are scent-glands, and they secrete strong-smelling defensive terpene compounds. The exact mix varies among the swallowtail species.
Print References
Gordh, A Dictionary of Entomology, p. 650 (1)
Internet References
Tree of Life--Papilionidae
Wikipedia--Osmeterium
Works Cited
1.A Dictionary of Entomology
George Gordh, David H. Headrick. 2003. CABI Publishing.