Insect Glossary

August 16, 2011 in Biopedia, Other Invertebrates by Simon Horsnall

For those less familiar with some terms used in describing parts of the body of an invertebrate.  I will add more if needed.

Anterior: Towards the front of the insect

Appendage: Any part of the body which is not part of the maiun body (legs, wings, palps, antennae)

Cephalothorax: The first segment of the body found in spiders

Distal: Concerning the part of the appendage furthest from the insect

Dorsal: Concerning the back of the insect

Elytra: The hardened wing casings found in beetles

Femora: The proximal section of the leg

Glabrous: Without fine hairs

Halteres: The drumstick shaped appendages, the vestigial remains of hind wings, found in the true flies (Order: Diptera)

Labrum: A tongue shaped organ between the maxillae

Maxillae: The jaws of an insect

Pronotum: The dorsal surface of the anterior thoracic segment

Palp: A tactile appendage found at the front of the head, usually two maxilliary palps and two labial palps

Posterior: Towards the rear of the insect

Proximal: Concerning the part of an appendage closest to the insect

Pubescent: Covered in fine hairs

Scutellum: A triangular projection from the mesothorax

Sclerite: An abdominal segment

Setae: Stiff hairs

Sternite: The ventral surface of a sclerite

Tarsus: The distal section of an insect leg

Tergite: The dorsal surface of a sclerite

Thorax: The middle section of an insect body made of three parts: the prothorax, the metathorax and the mesothorax

Tibia: The middle section of an insect leg

Ventral: Concerning the underside of an insect

Hope this helps.

Simon