aculeus

• Nom masculin désignant un appendice végétal dur et pointu, ou un organe piquant et aigu, comme le dard d'un insecte hyménoptère.

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.

   Aiguillon végétal

   • 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.

   Synonymespricklespinethorn

2. Zoological structureC2formalscientific

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

   Aiguillon (structure zoologique)

   • 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.

   Synonymesstingstinger