Elytron - apex of suture
Locating the elytra
The elytra are posterior to the pronotum and are the largest visible dorsal sclerites (Fig. 1A).
Sutural apex
The suture is the junction of the two elytra. Its apex is the point at which each elytron curves away (Fig. 1B). In some species the apex of the suture is produced as a short tooth or spine.
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FIGURE 1 |
FIGURE 2 |
Two states of the apex of the suture are recognised.
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Prolonged as an elongate acute spine; often triangular-like (Fig. 2A).
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Without a sharp spine: either indistinguishable from the apical elytral curvature, or at most with a short triangular projection (Fig. 2B).
Copyright © Australian Museum 2016
Authors: Chris Reid & Matthew Bulber