What is "phasmid"

Phasmid \Phas"mid\, n. [See Phasm. Probably so called from its mimicking, or appearing like, inanimate objects.] (Zo["o]l.) Any orthopterous insect of the family Phasmid[ae], as a leaf insect or a stick insect.

n. 1 (context entomology English) Any insect of the order Phasmatodea; the leaf insects and walking sticks. (from 19th c.) 2 (context nematology English) Either of the two caudal chemoreceptors in some nematodes. (from 20th c.) 3 A phagemid.

n. large cylindrical or flattened mostly tropical insects with long strong legs that feed on plants; walking sticks and leaf insects [syn: phasmid insect]

Phasmid may refer to:

• Dryococelus australis, the Lord Howe Island phasmid (stick insect or tree lobster)
• Phasmid (nematode anatomy), a sensory structure in nematodes
• Phasmatodea, the insect group which contains stick insects and walking-sticks
• Phagemid, a vector used in gene cloning

Phasmids are unicellular sensilia in the lateral tail region of certain species of nematodes. They are similar in their structure to amphid sensilla, but smaller. Phasmid neurons were recently shown to function in modulation of chemorepulsion behavior.

The lateral caudal papillae connected with the lateral precaudal glands. Paired postanal lateral chemoreceptor sensory organs.