exuviae

[ ig-zoo-vee-ee, ik-soo- ]

plural noun

1. the cast skins, shells, or other coverings of animals.

exuviae

/ ɪɡˈzjuːvɪˌiː /

plural noun

1. layers of skin or cuticle shed by animals during ecdysis

Derived Forms

• exˈuvial, adjective

Other Words From

• ex·uvi·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of exuviae¹

First recorded in 1645–55; from Latin, derivative of exuere “to remove, strip off, divest oneself of,” from ex- ex- ¹ + -uere “to put on”

Word History and Origins

Origin of exuviae¹

C17: from Latin: something stripped off (the body), from exuere to strip off

Example Sentences

On a recent pondside walk, Brand came upon various dragonfly exuviae — the outer casings of young dragonflies.

From Seattle Times

The final step in the metamorphosis, if all goes well: The case splits open, and the winged creature molts, ready to take its first flight in pursuit of prey, leaving the exuviae behind.

From Seattle Times

“Most people won’t know what it is if I post the pictures, or that dragonflies spend most of their life in the water,” he said, although he suspects some may have seen exuviae before, while kayaking or canoeing.

From Seattle Times

In the new paper, the researchers argue that both insect frass and exuviae can promote plant health above and below ground in myriad ways: by increasing the abundance of beneficial soil microbes, by enhancing plant growth, by triggering plant defenses against herbivores, by stimulating native soil microbes that combat plant pathogens and by helping plant reproduction.

From New York Times

When insects molt, their exuviae contain chitin, a hard polymer that also makes up the shells of crustaceans like shrimp.

From New York Times