spiracle

Everyday

1. A spiracle is a tiny breathing hole in the side of an insect's or spider's body. tree →
2. In some fish, like sharks and rays, and in whales, a spiracle is a breathing opening on the head (a whale's blowhole is sometimes called this). tree →

In the lessons

Science: insects do not have lungs; air goes in through spiracles along their body into tiny tubes called tracheae, which carry oxygen to the cells. Caterpillars have a row of spiracles you can see on their sides. Rays use spiracles behind their eyes to take in water while lying on the sea floor.

Examples

• Insects breathe through spiracles. tree →
• We saw the spiracles on the caterpillar's side with a magnifying glass. tree →
• Air enters through the spiracles and travels down tubes. tree →
• A stingray has spiracles behind its eyes. tree →
• Spiracles can close to keep water out. tree →
• Insects have no lungs, only spiracles and air tubes. tree →

Note

Said «SPY-ruh-kul» or «SPEER-uh-kul». Countable, usually plural. From Latin for «breath». Trap: insects do not breathe through their mouths.