hindwings
Posterior flight pair
Hindwings are the rear pair of wings on a four-winged insect, positioned behind the forewings.
In beetles, the hindwings fold beneath hardened wing covers.
In butterflies and moths, they're often smaller and may display different coloring than the forewings.
Some insects use hindwings primarily for flight while forewings serve other functions.
Winged insect from caterpillar
- mothNight-flying lepidopteran
- scalesPlates or weighing devices
- eyespotsSimple light-detecting organs
- startle displayAntipredator surprise tactic
mimicry · camouflage · Lepidoptera · swallowtail · skipper · hawkmoth · luna moth
Move with effortless continuity
- liftMechanism for vertical transport
- thrustForceful forward motion
- maneuverabilityEase of controlled movement
- stabilityResistance to displacement
wingbeat · flap · soar · hover · aerodynamics · airflow · vortex · propulsion
Profound biological restructuring
- pupal stageInsect's transformative dormancy
- moltShed outer covering
- instarArthropod developmental stage
Hardened forewings of beetles
- membranousThin, pliable, tissue-like
- foldingBending something over itself
- ladybugSpotted red beetle
- scarabBeetle held sacred anciently
weevil · longhorn beetle · firefly · stag beetle · ground beetle · cockchafer · chafer · jewel beetle
butterfly
Winged insect from caterpillar
startle display · mimicry · camouflage · Lepidoptera · swallowtail · skipper · hawkmoth · luna moth
frenulum
Small tissue fold restricting movement
- thoraxCentral body cavity
glide
Move with effortless continuity
- liftMechanism for vertical transport
- thrustForceful forward motion
- maneuverabilityEase of controlled movement
stability · wingbeat · flap · soar · hover · aerodynamics · airflow · vortex · propulsion · powered flight
metamorphosis
Profound biological restructuring
- pupal stageInsect's transformative dormancy
- moltShed outer covering
- instarArthropod developmental stage
elytra
Hardened forewings of beetles
- membranousThin, pliable, tissue-like
- foldingBending something over itself
- ladybugSpotted red beetle
scarab · weevil · longhorn beetle · firefly · stag beetle · ground beetle · cockchafer · chafer · jewel beetle