Glossary table of contents

general
Jepson eFlora

insect glossary

Body parts

Image by Piotr Jaworski, PioM, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

head

The frontmost of the three major sections of the body, including the eyes, mouth, antennae, etc. [part A in the figure] [beetle glossary, true bug glossary]

thorax

The middle of the three major sections of the body. [part B in the figure] [beetle glossary, true bug glossary]

abdomen

The hindmost of the three major sections of the body. [part C in the figure] [beetle glossary, true bug glossary]

antenna

One of a pair of long sensory appendages on the front of the head. [part 1 in the figure] [true bug glossary]

prothorax

The anterior portion of the thorax, supporting the first pair of legs. [part 6 in the figure] [beetle glossary, true bug glossary]

pronotum

The dorsal sclerite covering the prothorax. [beetle glossary, true bug glossary]

forewing

One of the front pair of wings. [part 11 in the figure] [true bug glossary]

hindwing

One of the rear pair of wings. [part 12 in the figure] [true bug glossary]

sclerite

A plate forming one section of an exoskeleton.

Relative positions

anterior

Closer to the head end of the body.

posterior

Closer to the tail end of the body.

dorsal

Related to the back of the animal or closer to the back. Opposite ventral.

ventral

Related to the belly of the animal or closer to the belly. Opposite dorsal.

apical

Closer to the tip.

basal

Closer to the base.