Elytral Subapical Swelling

Locating the elytral apices

The elytra are the two large sclerites posterior to the pronotum, which cover the wings.The subapical elytral swellings are raised areas located just before the apex of each elytron.

Figure 1. Dorsal view of Anoplognathus. Move cursor over image to locate character.

Photo Figure 1 © Kindi Smith, Australian Museum

Elytral subapical swelling sculpture

The swellings are best examined from below, with the posterior of the animal raised.

There are two states

1. smooth, without conspicuous short thick spines (spinules) (Figure 2A)

2. with conspicuous short thick spines (spinules) (Figure 2B)

Figure 2. Ventral view of elytral subapical swelling.

Move cursor over small image to view larger image

scale bar equals 1mm Photos Figure 2 © Kindi Smith, Australian Museum

Copyright © Australian Museum 2016
Authors: Chris Reid & Kindi Smith