eyespot

Everyday

1. An eyespot is a round patch of colour that looks like an eye, on the wings of a butterfly or moth, or on the body of a fish, to scare or fool predators. tree →
2. (science) An eyespot is a tiny light-sensitive spot on very simple living things, such as Euglena, that helps them find light. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons it explains camouflage and defence: birds may attack the false eye instead of the head, or be frightened by big eyespots. In microscopy, pupils see the red eyespot of single-celled Euglena. Phrases: «false eyespots», «eyespot on the wing».

Examples

• The peacock butterfly has four big eyespots. tree →
• Birds may peck the eyespot instead of the butterfly's head. tree →
• Some fish have an eyespot near their tail. tree →
• Under the microscope we saw the red eyespot of a Euglena. tree →
• The moth opened its wings and flashed its eyespots. tree →
• Eyespots make small creatures look bigger and scarier. tree →

Note

Countable: an eyespot, eyespots. One word. Also called «eye spot» or «ocellus» (plural ocelli) by scientists. An eyespot on a wing cannot see; it is only a pattern.