Arrenotokous

/ˌærənɒˈtɒkəs/ adjective

Definition

In biology, referring to organisms that produce male offspring through asexual reproduction or from unfertilized eggs.

Etymology

From Greek 'arrhen' (male) and 'tokos' (birth or offspring). This scientific term was coined in the late 19th century to describe a specific reproductive pattern discovered in certain insects and arachnids.

Kelly Says

Many parasitic wasps are arrenotokous—unfertilized eggs become males and fertilized eggs become females—which means a female wasp can control her offspring's sex by deciding whether to fertilize each egg!

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