cercus
/ˈsɜrkəs/
noun
- A small, paired appendage at the tip of the abdomen of many insects and some other arthropods, often used for sensing the environment.
- The cricket uses its cerci to detect air movements and avoid predators.
- Some insects have long, thread-like cerci, while others have short, pincer-like ones.
- Under the microscope, the cerci of the silverfish looked like tiny antennae.