1. Education

Discuss in my forum

Osmeterium

By , About.com Guide

Osmeterium Photo: Entomolo, Wikimedia Commons (CC SA license)
Definition:

A fleshy, Y-shaped gland found in some caterpillars, especially in those in the swallowtail butterfly family. The osmeterium emits a chemical with a foul scent when the caterpillar is threatened.

Common Misspellings: osmoterium, osmetarium

©2013 About.com. All rights reserved.