par·the·no·gen·e·sis   (pär'thə-nō-jěn'ĭ-sĭs)    n.  A form of reproduction in which an unfertilized egg develops into a new individual, occurring commonly among insects and certain other arthropods. [New Latin : Greek parthenos, virgin + genesis.] par'the·no·ge·net'ic (-jə-nět'ĭk) adj., par'the·no·ge·net'i·cal·ly adv.

parthenogenesis 

Main Entry: par·the·no·gen·e·sis
Pronunciation: "pär-th&-nO-'jen-&-s&s
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural par·the·no·gen·e·ses /-"sEz/
: reproduction by development of an unfertilized usually female gamete that occursespecially among lower plants and invertebrate animals

parthenogenesis par·the·no·gen·e·sis (pär'thə-nō-jěn'ĭ-sĭs)
n.
A form of reproduction in which an unfertilized egg develops into a new individual, occurring commonly among insects and certain other arthropods.

---

par'the·no·ge·net'ic (-jə-nět'ĭk) adj.

parthenogenesis

biological reproduction that involves development of a female (rarely a male) gamete (sex cell) without fertilization. It occurs commonly among lower plants and invertebrate animals, particularly rotifers, aphids, ants, wasps, and bees. An egg produced parthenogenetically may be either haploid (i.e., with one set of dissimilar chromosomes) or diploid (i.e., with a paired set of chromosomes).

Learn more about parthenogenesis with a free trial on Britannica.com.