Paramere

A paramere is one of a pair of lateral intromittent organs found in the male genitalia of some insects. These structures flank the aedeagus (the insect penis) and are used to grasp the female during copulation, aid in sperm transfer, or provide tactile stimulation. Parameres can vary significantly in size and shape across different insect species and are important taxonomic characters for distinguishing between closely related species. In some groups, the parameres may be fused or reduced. The term is often used in the study of insect morphology and evolution. They are derived from the embryonic genital appendages.