Phasmid Study Group

The segments making up the abdomen are numbered from front to back. Traditionally Roman numerals have been used but the use of Arabic numerals is becoming common. The first, tenth and eleventh segments have specific names: Median segment, Anal segment and Lamina supraanalis

The hindwing. It is attached to the anterior of the metanotum and is divided into the leathery costal region and the folding anal region.

The folding part of the phasmid's hingwing. This is often transparent or translucent, and only rarely opaque.

An ovipositor formed by elongated ovipositor valves, it projects beyond the end of the abdomen.

A sunken area on the ventral surface of the apex of the tibiae. This depression is roughly triangular. This feature is used to split phasmids into two groups: the Areolate which have the sunken area, and the Anareolate which do not.

A hard sclerotization found in the genitalia of some female Asciphasmatinae; may protrude from the left side of the operculum; the function is unknown.

A raised structure on the operculum of the egg (not present in all species).

Paired appendages attached to the anal segment. They may project beyond the end of the abdomen or be hidden underneath; ina few cases they are enlarged leaf-like structures.

The anterior portion of the hindwing. This is thickened, opaque, and does not fold; it is the part of the hindwing whioch is uppermost when the wings are folded.

A carina on the front, upper corner of the femur or tibia.

The fore wing. Attached to the posterior of the mesonontum. [Tegmen].

Appendages on the female's abdomen which are usually hidden by the operculum, but in some species they form part of the appendicular ovipositor and are clearly visible. [Ovipositor valves].

Covered in small granules; generally circular, and height is less than the diameter. [Granular].

A thin sheet. Often used to refer to a thin sheet or lobe along the carina of a leg, typically running the whole length of the femur or tibia (frequently found in Lonchodinae).

The 11th tergite (11th dorsal abdominal segment); absent in males but can be seen in some females, it may be quite long but is more often minute or absent. [Supra-anal plate].

The first abdominal segment. This is fused with the metanotum to varying degrees, in some instances it is indistinguishable.

An indentation running across the pronotum, usually more or less in the middle; it is particularly noticeable in some groups, e.g. Dares, but in many groups can only be seen with magnification. It marks the position of the sulcus, the joint between the two plates whioch make up the pronotum. Sometimes just referred to as the sulcus.

The second section of the thorax. Tehe middle legs and elytra are attached to the posterior of this segment.

The third section of the thorax. The hindwings are attached to the anterior, and the hind legs to the posterior of this segment.

The angle of the operculum of an egg makes with the longitudinal axis. This may be either positive or negative.

Covering of genital opening of the females (the term has also been used for males by some authors but should be restricted to females; poculum should be used for males). [Lamina subgenitalis; Subgenital plate].

An ovipositor whichis formed by elongation of the operculum (8th sternite) and lamina supraanalis (11th tergite); examples occur in Heteropterygini, Obrimini, some Eurycanthinae, and some Necrosciinae. It is analogous to that found in several Dipteran groups where the oviscapt is formed by a modified 7th sternite and 7th tergite.

A pleural sclerite, i.e. a lateral plate: one on the side of the body, between the tergum and sternum. They are most commonly seen on the thorax and may be very large and distinct in some groups, e.g. on the thorax of Heteropteryginae.

A mound on the egg at the opposite end to the operculum.

See: Praeopercular organ

A distinctive opening on the anterior of the pronotum, used as a diagnostic character of the tribes of Heteropteryginae (Rehn & Rehn, 1938).

The first segment of the thorax. The fore legs are attached to this segment.

Wrinkled, covered in small ridges.

See: Scabrous

A hard plate of the body. These may be given more precise names depending on where they are on the body, i.e. tergite, sternite.

A ventral plate; a hardened plate which makes up part (or all) of the sternum

The ventral part of a segment, including sternites and sternopleurites. Often sternopleurites are not evident, in which case the sternum may consist of a single sternite.

The 11th abdominal segment [Lamina supraanalis].

The fore wing. Use of this term seems to have deceased, with a corresponding increase in the term elytron in recent years.

The dorsal part of any segment. Although the term applies to all segments, notum is often used to refer to the thoracic terga.

Bearing numerous teeth. [Dentate].

A blunt or irregularly topped structure, not pointed like a spine; usually small but the term is also used to refer to large wart-like structures; often of an irregualr shape.

A carina on the front, underside corner of the femur or tibia.

Covered in irregularly shaped lobes or wart-like protubernces.

See: Vomer.