hypostome
/ˈhaɪpəˌstoʊm/
noun
- A mouthpart of certain arthropods (such as ticks or mites) that helps them attach to a host and feed.
- Scientists study the hypostome to understand how parasites attach to their hosts.
- The tick's hypostome is barbed, making it difficult to remove.
- Under a microscope, the hypostome of the mite looked like a tiny harpoon.