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ECOLOGY ▪ EDUCATION ▪ ADVOCACY

Indiana Nature Biology Glossary

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BIB

B

Basal Area: In insects, the area adjacent to the base of the wing.

image of insect’s basal area.

The basal area of a green leuconycta moth (Leuconycta diphteroides)

Batesian Mimicry: In both botany and zoology, a defense strategy in which a harmless organism mimics a dangerous or toxic organism’s features.

batesian mimicry

The harmless peachtree borer moth (Synanthedon pictipes) is a stinging wasp mimic.

Bipectinate: Comb-like on two sides. In zoology, the term usually refers to the antennae of certain insects.

image of bipectinate antennae.

The bipectinate antennae of a chickweed geometer moth (Haematopis grataria)

Bisexual Flower: A flower that contains both male and female sexual organs. Also called “perfect,” the opposite of a bisexual flower is a unisexual or “imperfect” flower.

Bud: The young, undeveloped tissue of a leaf or flower typically protected by specialized coverings called scales.