Hemolymph, or
haemolymph, is a fluid, analogous to the blood in
vertebrates, that circulates in the interior of the arthropod body remaining in direct contact with the animal's tissues. It is composed of a fluid plasma in which hemolymph cells called
hemocytes are suspended. In addition to hemocytes, the plasma also contains many chemicals. It is the major tissue type of the
open circulatory system characteristic of
arthropods (e.g.
spiders,
crustaceans and
insects). In addition, some non-arthropods such as
molluscs possess a hemolymphatic circulatory system.
