A tufted seta; with numerous stiff branches projecting at various angles from a single base; branches may be simple, barbed or aciculate.
The term “stellate” refers to a condition where the rays (branches) project in all directions from a single point in the same plane. A better term would be “multiradiate” but owing to the long use of the term “stellate” in mosquito taxonomy it has been retained.
Vestiture: stellate