aculeus

• Substantiv, das einen harten, spitzen Fortsatz bei Pflanzen oder ein spitzes Organ bezeichnet, etwa den Stachel eines Hautflüglers.

A noun referring to a stiff, sharp-pointed plant process or a sharp-pointed process, such as the sting of a hymenopterous insect.

1. Botanical structureC2formalscientific

   A stiff, sharp-pointed plant process, such as a prickle or spine.

   Stachel

   • The cactus has many aculei that protect it from herbivores.
   • Botanists study the aculeus to understand plant defense mechanisms.
   • The rose stem is covered with small aculei.

   Synonymepricklespinethorn

2. Zoological structureC2formalscientific

   A sharp-pointed process, especially the sting of a hymenopterous insect like a bee or wasp.

   Stachel

   • The bee's aculeus is used for defense and injecting venom.
   • Entomologists examined the aculeus of the wasp under a microscope.
   • The aculeus of a worker bee is barbed and remains in the skin after stinging.

   Synonymestingstinger