haltere

Classification · Explanation of Names · Identification · See Also · Internet References

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

No Taxon (Glossary --use Taxonomy, then Info tabs to view entries)

No Taxon (H)

No Taxon haltere

Explanation of Names

From Greek halteres, weights held in the hand to give impetus whilst leaping; Greek hallomai, to leap.

Identification

haltere noun, plural halteres. - two small knobbed appendages rising from each side of the thorax in the order Diptera just where the posterior pair of wings would arise were they present, and to which they are analogous. They tend to balance the insect in flight.

Some photos of halteres:

See Also

wing

Internet References

Jardine's Dictionary of Entomology

Wikipedia: Halteres

Contributed by Cotinis on 27 May, 2007 - 11:28am
Last updated 31 January, 2008 - 6:55pm

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