triungulin noun, lacks plural (1) - the mobile first instar larva of an insect that undergoes hypermetamorphosis. The term triungulin is technically applied only to the three-clawed (hence the name) planidia in the Meloidae--Blister Beetles (Chuck Entz, in comments here). Sometimes the term is often used in a broader sense, meaning any similar mobile first-instar larva, i.e., planidium.

The similar term triungulid is said by Gordh (1) to apply specifically to the first instar larva of the Strepsiptera (Twisted-winged Insects).

Examples occur among beetles:

Ripiphoridae - Wedge-shaped Beetles

Meloidae - Blister Beetles

Diagram illustrating hypermetamorphic life-cycle:

See Also

Print References

Gordh, p. 944, entries for triungulid, triungulin (1)

Internet References

Wikipedia--Planidium

Works Cited

1.	A Dictionary of Entomology By George Gordh, David H. Headrick

Contributed by Cotinis on 2 October, 2007 - 8:29am
Last updated 19 January, 2008 - 2:42pm

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