gonarcus

English

Etymology

From gon- +‎ Latin arcus (“arc, bow”).

Noun

gonarcus

1. (zoology) An arched structure that is a principal feature of the male genitalia of some insects.
   • 1961, Agricultural Experiment Station, Bulletin A‎^[1], page 49:

     The gonarcus (fig. 5) is situated internally between the anal segment and the ninth sternite.

   • 1988, Neuroptera International, Volume 5 - Volume 7, Issue 2, page 60,

     Its shape is related to the structure of the gonarcus-parameres complex and of the coaptation structures which exist between this complex and the subgenital plate.

   • 2005, David Grimaldi, Evolution of the Insects‎^[2], page 341:

     Defining features of the Neuroptera include the association of the ninth gonocoxites with the gonarcus and the peculiar sucking-mandibulate mouthparts of the larvae (U. Aspock et al., 2001).