Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada

tergum, terga, tergite

Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
No Taxon (Glossary --use Taxonomy, then Info tabs to view entries)
No Taxon (T)
No Taxon tergum, terga, tergite
Explanation of Names
From Latin tergum, the back.
Identification
tergum noun, plural terga - The superior, upper or dorsal portion of a segment (especially of the abdomen), separated from the venter by sutural lines, and divided into segments which are generally, especially in the case of the abdomen, perforated on each side, by the spiracles. May consist of several sclerites. See diagram:


tergite noun - a dorsal plate of the exoskeleton, especially of the abdomen. From Latin tergum, the back, plus ite, constituent.
See Also
tergum, tergite (dorsal)
laterogite (dorsolateral)
Print References
Gordh, A Dictionary of Entomology, p. 915(1)
Works Cited
1.A Dictionary of Entomology
By George Gordh, David H. Headrick