eyespot
/ˈaɪˌspɑt/
noun
- A simple light-sensitive organ found in some animals, such as flatworms and jellyfish, that can detect light but not form clear images.
- The eyespot on a single-celled organism can detect the direction of sunlight.
- A flatworm uses its eyespots to sense whether it is in light or darkness.
- Some jellyfish have eyespots that help them swim toward the surface.
- A round, colored mark on an animal's body that looks like an eye, often used to scare predators or attract mates.
- Many butterflies have eyespots on their wings to make them look like larger animals.
- The peacock's tail feathers have beautiful eyespots that shimmer in the light.
- The eyespot on the fish's tail helps it confuse predators.
Synonyms