ectospermalege

English

Etymology

From ecto- +‎ spermalege.

Noun

ectospermalege (plural ectospermaleges)

1. Part of the spermalege, derived from the ectoderm and consisting of a groove in the right-handed posterior margin of the fifth sclerite, overlying a pleural membrane. In order to access the female's haemocoel during traumatic insemination, male bedbugs insert their needle-like penis into the groove and pierce the pleural membrane.