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the web of life in southern Africa

Beetle anatomy (morphology)

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H1  Palp (feeler)

H2  Labial palp (feeler)

H3  Maxillary palp (feeler)

H4  Mandible (jaw)

H5  Maxilla (mouth parts)

H6  Labrum (upper 'lip')

H7  Labium (lower 'lip')

H8  Gula ('throat')

Head

With permission from Scholtz and Holm, Insects of southern Africa.

Prothorax (first part of thorax)

T1  Prosternum

T2  Proepisternum

T3  Notopleural suture (join)

T4  Pronotum

T5  Proepimeron

T10 Mesepimeron

T12 Pronotum

T13 Scutellum

T14 Basal fossae on pronotum

Thorax

3 Thoracic segments

 

Mesothorax (second part of thorax)

T6  Mesepisternum

T7  Mesepimeron

T8  Mesosternum

T15 Humerus

T16 Elytra

T17 Elytral striae

T18 Elytral interstices

The elytra cover part of the thorax and usually all of the abdomen.

Metathorax (third part of thorax)

T9  Metepisternum

T10 Metasternum

T11 Metepimeron

A1 - A6 Abdominal sternites (segments)

Abdomen

Leg

One pair of legs attached to each thoracic segment.

L1  Coxae (base segment of leg)  

L2  Metatrochanter

L3  Trochanther

L4  Tibia

Legs

Foot

L5 Tarsi or tarsal segments

L6 Tarsal claw

© Iziko Museums of Cape Town, 2006

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