haltere
9.9
Small club-shaped parts on flies that help them balance in flight
- noun
- /ˈhæl.tɪr/
- Specialized
:
haltere
- In some insects, the halteres function like gyroscopes, aiding in flight control.
Examples
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Flies use their halteres to help keep their balance while flying.
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Slice also have little balancing rods called halteres behind their wings.
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For example, mutations in certain homeotic genes in fruit flies cause the halteres (small balancing organs) to be transformed into a second pair of wings.
Blog text (28) -
The small halteres are crucial for maintaining stability during the insect's flight.
Synonyms
9.9
A small knob behind a fly's wings that helps it balance in flight
is described as replacing the hind wings and serving to maintain equilibrium in flight
9.9
Small extra back wings on some flies that help keep them steady in flight
is presented as a knobbed replacement for hind wings focused on equilibrium support
Surface Forms
Etymology
Haltere comes from the ancient Greek word halteres, the small weights athletes used when they jumped. That's why an insect's halteres act like tiny balancing weights to help it stay steady in flight.
