proepisternumn.
/ˌprəʊɛpᵻˈstəːnəm/, U.S. /ˈˌproʊɛpəˈstərn(ə)m/ Entomology.
The episternum of the prothorax of an insect.
ΚΠ
1890 Cent. Dict. Proëpisternum, the prothoracic episternum; the episternal sclerite of the propleuron.
1916 Ann. Entomol. Soc. Amer. 9 76 This sclerite cannot be the prothoracic episternum, or ‘proepisternum’, but must be a lateral cervical sclerite.
1984 Jrnl. N.Y. Entomol. Soc. 92 150 A distinct propleural suture, well developed proepisternum and considerably reduced proepimeron are clearly represented in Pamphiliidae, Xyelidae, Argidae, [etc.].
1998 J. G. Leonard & R. T. Bell Northeastern Tiger Beetles Introd. 15 Females..have a shallow groove or fold on the sides of their prothorax, the proepisternum.., that males grip with their mandibles while mating.
Derivatives
proepiˈsternal adj.
ΚΠ
1890 Cent. Dict. Proëpisternal, of or pertaining to the proëpisternum.
1942 Amer. Midland Naturalist 28 654 Posterior coxae not carinate on inner margin; proepisternal carina becoming obsolete towards midline.
1999 V. A. Korneyev in M. Aluja & A. L. Norrbom Fruit Flies i. 14 The proepisternal seta is absent in some genera of Cephalini.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1890