noun
- plural of cercus; a pair of segmented appendages at the rear end of the abdomen in insects and some other arthropods.
Usage: biology; zoology; technical
Examples
- The cerci of the cricket are sensitive to vibrations in the air.
- Entomologists use the structure of cerci to help identify different insect species.
- The cerci on this mayfly nymph are longer than those of related species.
- Many insects use their cerci to detect predators approaching from behind.
- The cerci are covered with sensory hairs that respond to movement.