Mosquito Taxonomic Inventory

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Definition:

The modified, reduced, drumstick-shaped metathoracic wing of most Diptera or mesothoracic wing of male stylopoid Coleoptera. In mosquitoes and other Diptera consisting of a thick base, scabellum, a slender stem-like part, pedicel and an expanded distal part, capitellum. Compare metathoracic wing in the pupa section.

Explanation:

This word is an application of the Latin and Greek word halter (pleural, halteres) for jumping-weight. Prior to about 1950, halter seems to have been the usual spelling used by entomologists, although haltere was also sometimes used. Since 1950, haltere has probably been used more than halter. There is no sound reason for adding an e to halter.

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