Nusiengimai

Nusiengimai is a Lithuanian term that broadly refers to the shedding of outer layers by various organisms. It is most commonly used to describe the process of molting in insects and reptiles, though it can also be applied to other biological shedding phenomena.

In insects, nusiengimai is a crucial part of their growth cycle. As an insect grows, its exoskeleton, made of chitin, becomes too restrictive. To overcome this, the insect sheds its old exoskeleton, a process called ecdysis. A new, larger exoskeleton is then formed underneath. This molting process typically occurs multiple times during an insect's larval or nymphal stages.

Reptiles, such as snakes and lizards, also undergo nusiengimai. They shed their skin in a process often referred to as sloughing. This shedding allows them to grow and also helps to remove parasites. Snakes typically shed their skin in one piece, including the eye caps, while lizards may shed in patches.

While less common in everyday usage, the term nusiengimai can also be conceptually linked to other shedding processes in nature, such as the shedding of leaves by deciduous plants or the shedding of feathers by birds. However, its primary and most frequent application remains with the molting of invertebrates and reptiles. The biological purpose of nusiengimai across these different organisms is fundamentally to allow for growth, renewal, and the removal of old or damaged outer layers.