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

Complicated isn’t it? I certainly learnt something. Thanks.
Great stuff Simon. Thanks for taking the time to do this.
It’s complicated Chris because it is so difficult to explain one term without understanding the meaning for the terms used in the definition. E.g. knowing where the mesothorax is to define the scutellum. I don’t think it is any more complicated than secondaries and median coverts and supercillia though and we are happy using these terms freely.
No problem Paul. Did I miss any do you think?
Simon
Looks good to me and makes things much easier regards identification.
If you’re interested the Amateur Entomologists’ Society also has an online glossary: http://www.amentsoc.org/insects/glossary/
Many Thanks for this Kieren.