What is wing Venation?
Wing venation – the system and/or pattern of veins of the insect wing. The principal veins run more-or-less lengthwise on the wing–thus called longitudinal veins. Connecting them are a lesser number of cross-veins.
Why is wing Venation important for insect identification?
Wing venation shape is thus a taxonomically relevant marker combining the accuracy of quantitative characters with the specificity required for identification criteria. This marker may also highlight adaptive processes that could help understand the wing’s influence on insect flight.
What kind of wings do Lepidoptera have?
Adult lepidopterans have four wings — a forewing and a hindwing on both the left and the right side of the thorax — and, like all insects, three pairs of legs.
What is wing Venation name different veins in insect wing?
The principal longitudinal veins from anterior to posterior, from the costal to inner margins, on an archetypical insect wing (with standard abbreviations) are: Costa (C.), Subcosta (Sc.), Radius (R), Radius Sector (RS), Medius Anterior (MA), Medius Posterior (MP), Cubitus Anterior (CuA), Cubitus Posterior (CuP), and …
What is elytra and Hemelytra?
The word hemielytra refers to the specialized top pair of wings (forewings) of the true bugs. Most insects have 4 wings and true bugs are no exception. Some insects, like beetles, have hardened forewings that protect the more fragile hindwings underneath. These are called elytra.
What is insect wing?
Insect wings are adult outgrowths of the insect exoskeleton that enable insects to fly. They are found on the second and third thoracic segments (the mesothorax and metathorax), and the two pairs are often referred to as the forewings and hindwings, respectively, though a few insects lack hindwings, even rudiments.
What is a defining characteristic of Lepidoptera?
The scientific name of the order, Lepidoptera, is derived from one of their main characteristics, namely their having wings covered in tiny scales (from the Greek lepidos = scale and pteron = wing). The leg and wings are attached to the thorax. In a few species of moths, the females have evolved to become wingless.
What are the characteristics of a winged insect?
Wing shape, texture, and venation are quite distinctive among the insect taxa and therefore highly useful as aides for identification. The archedictyon is the name given to a hypothetical scheme of wing venation proposed for the very first winged insect. It is based on a combination of speculation and fossil data.
What kind of variation is there in wing venation?
Warren ( 1936) demonstrated that in the genus Erebia (Nymphalidae), wing venation varies considerably within species and even displays an asymmetric pattern in individuals. Similarly, Sotavolta ( 1964) demonstrated considerable intraspecific variation in wing venation in Arctiidae.
When do the wings of an insect develop?
Their wings develop as evaginations of the exoskeleton during morphogenesis but they become fully functional only during the adult stage of an insect’s life cycle. The wings may be membranous, parchment-like, heavily sclerotized, fringed with long hairs, or covered with scales.
Why are the veins important in membranous wings?
In membranous wings, the veins provide strength and reinforcement during flight. Wing shape, texture, and venation are quite distinctive among the insect taxa and therefore highly useful as aides for identification. The archedictyon is the name given to a hypothetical scheme of wing venation proposed for the very first winged insect.