oviscapt

Not being equipped with a long oviscapt, the mother sows her eggs in the open, with no protection against the heat of the sun and the variations of temperature.

Social Life in the Insect World Jean-Henri Fabre 1869

The grasshopper has a sabre, an oviscapt which plunges into the earth and sows the eggs at the desired depth; the Leuscopis has a probe which finds its way through the masonry of the mason-bee and lays the egg in the cocoon of the great somnolent larva; but the Balaninus has none of these swords, daggers, or pikes; she has nothing but the tip of her abdomen.

Social Life in the Insect World Jean-Henri Fabre 1869

As far as the perforating beak can plunge, so far the oviscapt, the interior rostrum, will reach.

Social Life in the Insect World Jean-Henri Fabre 1869

Then, applying her oviscapt, she thrusts it through the side of the pod and perforates the circular trap-door.

Social Life in the Insect World Jean-Henri Fabre 1869

The female has a reddish head and thorax; the abdomen is black, with a long augur-like oviscapt.

Social Life in the Insect World Jean-Henri Fabre 1869