Lesson plan

Insect scale

Scales are present on the bodies of various insects. A notable example are the Lepidoptera, the insect order comprising moths and butterflies, which have scales on their wings and on the head, parts of the thorax and abdomen, and parts of the genitalia. The name is derived from Ancient Greek λεπίδος (scale) and πτερόν (wing). The Trichoptera (caddisflies) which are a sister group of the Lepidoptera have scales, but also possess caudal cerci on the abdomen, a feature absent in the Lepidoptera. Beetles of family Dermestidae also commonly have scales. Within the dipteran infraorder Culicomorpha, possession of a scale fringe on the posterior margin of the forewings is a proposed synapomorphy of Corethrellidae, Chaoboridae and Culicidae. Many Zygentoma and Archaeognatha have scales on their bodies, whose iridescent appearance gives certain Zygentoma the common name of silverfish.

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Article summary

Scales are present on the bodies of various insects. A notable example are the Lepidoptera, the insect order comprising moths and butterflies, which have scales on their wings and on the head, parts of the thorax and abdomen, and parts of the genitalia. The name is derived from Ancient Greek λεπίδος (scale) and πτερόν (wing). The Trichoptera (caddisflies) which are a sister group of the Lepidoptera have scales, but also possess caudal cerci on the abdomen, a feature absent in the Lepidoptera. Beetles of family Dermestidae also commonly have scales. Within the dipteran infraorder Culicomorpha, possession of a scale fringe on the posterior margin of the forewings is a proposed synapomorphy of Corethrellidae, Chaoboridae and Culicidae. Many Zygentoma and Archaeognatha have scales on their bodies, whose iridescent appearance gives certain Zygentoma the common name of silverfish.

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