teneral, a. Entom.
(ˈtɛnərəl)
[f. L. tener tender + -al1.]
Said of the imperfect imago of a neuropterous insect, when it has just emerged from the pupa state, and is still soft. Also fig.
| 1891 in Cent. Dict. 1900 W. J. Lucas Brit. Dragonflies vi. 66 (heading) Immature colour. [Note] Also called ‘teneral’. 1902 Sat. Rev. 1 Mar. 256 The Liberal League has now emerged in triumph, though at present perhaps in a teneral state, not yet endowed with its full brilliancy of colour. 1921 G. H. Carpenter Insect Transformation ii. 52 For some time after it has acquired the power of flying the dragon-fly has not yet asssumed the deep colours and developed pattern that characterize its species; such a relatively newly-emerged insect is defined as teneral. 1957 Jrnl. Exper. Biol. XXXIV. 189 The word ‘teneral’ has been used to describe alate insects at about this time [between emergence and the first flight], although its usage varies between different orders. 1975 Nature 15 May 226/1 This [sc. a reduction in probing behaviour] was easier to demonstrate in teneral flies (newly emerged flies before their first meal) than in post-teneral flies. |