noun
- Plural of cornicle; small horn-like or tube-like projections found on the rear abdomen of aphids, used for secreting defensive substances.
Usage: entomology; technical
Examples
- Aphids use their cornicles to release alarm pheromones when threatened.
- The cornicles on the insect's abdomen are a key identifying feature of aphids.
- Under the microscope, the cornicles appeared as small tubular structures.
- Entomologists examine the cornicles to classify different aphid species.