Glossary terms beginning with H

Habitat

an area with specific environmental conditions in which an organism lives and reproduces.
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Haemocoel

the blood filled body cavity of many invertebrates.
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Haemolymph

insect blood.
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Haltere

a modified wing that is reduced to form a 'drum stick' shaped balance organ.
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Hamuli

cf. Frenulum - a row of bristles used to connect the fore and hind wings in some insects.

Hand lens

a small device used by an entomologist to make it easier to see features of insects or other invertebrates.
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Hanging fly

cf. Mecoptera - the Mecoptera (or Scorpionflies) are an Order of insects containing around 300 species worldwide.

Harvest mite

mites within the Family Trombiculidae. The larvae of these mites, called Chiggers, are parasitic and can cause considerable irritation and swelling.
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Harvestman

cf. Opiliones - eight-legged invertebrates within the Class Arachnida.

Head

the anterior most of the three main body parts of an insect.
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Heath trap

cf. Moth trap - a device used to attract and capture moths which can then be studied.

Hemimetabalous

cf. Incomplete metamorphosis - a type of metamorphosis in which an insect hatches from an egg and then goes through several similar nymphal stages before reaching adulthood.

Hemiptera

the Hemiptera/true bugs are an Order of insects including the aphids and shieldbugs.
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Herbivore

herbivores are animals whose diet is primarily composed of plant matter.
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Hercules beetle

cf. Rhinoceros beetle - a subfamily of Scarab beetles. Rhinoceros beetles are some of the largest of the beetles. The males have characteristic horns.

Hermaphrodite

a hermaphrodite is an organism possessing both male and female sexual organs.
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Het bug

cf. Heteroptera - a suborder of the true bugs (Order Hemiptera). Adult Heteroptera have fore wings divided into two distinct regions.

Heteroptera

a suborder of the true bugs (Order Hemiptera). Adult Heteroptera have fore wings divided into two distinct regions.
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Hibernation

a period of winter dormancy.
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Hide beetle

cf. Dermestidae - a family of beetles often known as carpet beetles or larder beetles.

Holometabalous

cf. Complete metamorphosis - a type of metamorphosis in which an insect goes through four distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, imago.

Holotype

cf. Type specimen - a specimen that acts as the name bearer for a species.

Homoptera

originally a suborder of the true bugs (Order Hemiptera). However, recent analysis has reclassified the insects within the Homoptera and it should no longer be used as a name for suborder of the Hemiptera.
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Honey

a substance derived from nectar and is the main source of energy for bees.
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Honey bee

the Honey bee is one of the most important and easily recognisable insects.
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Honeydew

a sugary solution excreted by aphids.
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Hormone

chemicals produced within the body that control metabolic processes.
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Horseshoe crab

cf. Xiphosura - an Order of marine chelicerates that include the Horseshoe crabs.

Host

an organism being attacked by a parasite or a parasitoid.
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Hydrostatic skeleton

a type of exoskeleton supported by fluid pressure.
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Hymenoptera

the Order of insects containing the bees, ants and wasps.
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Hypogaeic

cf. Hypogeic - the name given to an organism living underground.

Hypogeal

cf. Hypogeic - the name given to an organism living underground.

Hypogeic

the name given to an organism living underground.
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