Diptera.info

postcranium

occiput (synonym)

posterior

Located in the direction of the apex of the abdomen when considering a position along the longitudinal axis. Even a structure near the head has a side that is directed towards apex

header=[apex] body=[Plural: apices. The end of something 'protruding from' or 'attached to' the (imaginary) center of the body or the end removed from the center of the body. For example, the end of the wing (apex of the wing), the abdomen (apex of the abdomen), the tibia (apex of the tibia), etc.<br /><img src='../../infusions//terms/images/no_image.gif' style='vertical-align:middle;' />] delay=[0] fade=[on]

of the abdomen. Likewise, every structure perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body (leg, wing) has a side that is directed towards the apex

of the abdomen.

posterior cubital cell

Cell that may be present in the base of the wing and that is formed by joining of the second anterior cubital vein (CuA₂) and the first anal vein (A₁). If these two veins are approximated but not closing the cell (for example in Diastatidae) the cell is open. If either or both veins are missing, or if both veins run to thw wing margin, the cell is absent.
Also known as: anal cell, cell cup.

posterior notopleural setae

Large setae placed on the posterior part of the notopleuron

header=[notopleuron] body=[Lateral part of the mesonotum immediately posterior of postpronotal lobes. The notopleuron may be carrying several setae, the notopleural setae. If these are present it may be possible to distinguish between the anterior notopleural setae and the posterior notopleural setae. Presence, absence and number of notopleural setae may be of diagnostic and systematic importance.<br /><img src='http://www.diptera.info/infusions/terms/images/notopleuron.jpg' style='vertical-align:middle;' />] delay=[0] fade=[on]

, immediately anterior of the mesonotal suture.

posterodorsal

Located in the plane between posterior

header=[posterior] body=[Located in the direction of the apex of the abdomen when considering a position along the longitudinal axis. Even a structure near the head has a side that is directed towards apex of the abdomen. Likewise, every structure perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body (leg, wing) has a side that is directed towards the apex of the abdomen.<br /><img src='http://www.diptera.info/images/orientation.gif' style='vertical-align:middle;' />] delay=[0] fade=[on]

and dorsal

header=[dorsal] body=[1. Located on the dorsum. For legs this means that these are considered as if they were in the position as given in the illustration. So, even if a leg is pointing upwards in a specimen, one should image that the leg was positioned in a horizontal plane, perpendicular to the body axis.<br />
<br />
2. Located in a more position towards the dorsum. For example, a seta can be located dorsal to another seta.<br />
<br />
Opposite: ventral.<br /><img src='http://www.diptera.info/images/orientation.gif' style='vertical-align:middle;' />] delay=[0] fade=[on]

posteroventral

Located in the plane between posterior

and ventral

header=[ventral] body=[1. Located on the venter. For legs this means that these are considered as if they were in the position as given in the illustration. So, even if a leg is pointing upwards in a specimen, one should image that the leg was positioned in a horizontal plane, perpendicular to the body axis.<br />
<br />
2. Located in a more position towards the venter. For example, a seta can be located ventral to another seta.<br />
<br />
Opposite: dorsal.<br /><img src='http://www.diptera.info/images/orientation.gif' style='vertical-align:middle;' />] delay=[0] fade=[on]

postpronotal lobe

Lateral part of the postpronotum, especially in higher Diptera well visible, less so in some groups of lower Diepra (in particular Nematocera). Usually well intergrated with the scutum and often bearing setae (postpronotal setae).
Synonyms: humerus (plural: humeri), humeral callus (plural: humeral calli)

postpronotal seta

Seta on the postpronotal lobe

header=[postpronotal lobe] body=[Lateral part of the postpronotum, especially in higher Diptera well visible, less so in some groups of lower Diepra (in particular Nematocera). Usually well intergrated with the scutum and often bearing setae (postpronotal setae).<br />
Synonyms: humerus (plural: humeri), humeral callus (plural: humeral calli)<br /><img src='http://www.diptera.info/infusions/terms/images/postpronotal_lobe.gif' style='vertical-align:middle;' />] delay=[0] fade=[on]

.
Synonym: humeral seta, humeral bristle.

postsutural

Posterior

of the transverse suture of the scutum

pra

pre-alar setae (synonym)

pre-alar setae

The anterior setae of the postsutural header=[postsutural] body=[Posterior of the transverse suture of the scutum <img src='../../infusions//terms/images/no_image.gif' style='vertical-align:middle;' />] delay=[0] fade=[on]

header=[postsutural] body=[Posterior of the transverse suture of the scutum<br /><img src='../../infusions//terms/images/no_image.gif' style='vertical-align:middle;' />] delay=[0] fade=[on]

supra-alar setae header=[supra-alar setae] body=[One or more setae on the most lateral part of the mesonotum immediately above the notopleuron base of the wing, so situated between the lateral margin of the mesonotum and (if present) the intra-alar setae. <img src='http://www.diptera.info/infusions/terms/images/supraalar_setae.png' style='vertical-align:middle;' />] delay=[0] fade=[on]

header=[supra-alar setae] body=[One or more setae on the most lateral part of the mesonotum immediately above the notopleuron base of the wing, so situated between the lateral margin of the mesonotum and (if present) the intra-alar setae. <br /><img src='http://www.diptera.info/infusions/terms/images/supraalar_setae.png' style='vertical-align:middle;' />] delay=[0] fade=[on]

predictive value

The biological, faunistic and other information attached to a taxon. Some species level taxa have low predictive value since almost nothing is known about them. Others have high predictive value, for example, Musca domestica, about which millions of words have been written.
Families obviously have lower predictive value than species.

presc ac

prescutellar acrostichal setae (synonym)

prescutellar acrostichal setae

Prescutellar acrostichal setae are postsutural acrostichal setae but the term is reserved for one pair (sometimes more) of acrostichal setae that are placed just before the scutellum and that are larger than the remaining acrostichal setae.

proclinate

bent forward (usually used to indicate curvature of setae)

prosternum

Anteroventral sclerite of the (pro)thorax roughly situated between the attachment of the head and the anterior coxae.

pupa

Plural: pupae. The name for the third main stage in the life of an insect that undergoes complete metamorphosis, i.e., develops from the egg through larval and the pupal stages to the adult (holometabolous). All Diptera undergo complete metamorphosis and have a pupal stage. Pupae of Diptera are of two main types; obtect pupae have visible head appendages, wings and legs which lie in sheaths attached to the surface of the body (all Diptera except Cyclorrhapha). Exarate pupae (Cyclorrhapha only) have free appendages. These free appedages are not visible as the pupa lies within the last larval instar skin which is hardened (puparium header=[puparium] body=[Plural: puparia. Case formed by the hardening of the last larval skin, in which the pupa is formed. The puparium may exhibit useful taxonomic characters. 
 
 
 
 <img src='../../infusions//terms/images/no_image.gif' style='vertical-align:middle;' />] delay=[0] fade=[on]

). Such Diptera pupae are called coarctate.
Recommended literature: Smith, K.V.G., 1989. An introduction to the immature stages of British flies. Diptera larvae, with notes on eggs, puparia and pupae. - Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects 10(14): 1-280. As an excellent reference with keys to suborders, families, subfamilies and genera. For Cyclorrhapha the key applies equally since they have puparia (although the parts may be harder to see).

puparium

Plural: puparia. Case formed by the hardening of the last larval skin, in which the pupa

header=[pupa] body=[Plural: pupae. The name for the third main stage in the life of an insect that undergoes complete metamorphosis, i.e., develops from the egg through larval and the pupal stages to the adult (holometabolous). All Diptera undergo complete metamorphosis and have a pupal stage. Pupae of Diptera are of two main types; obtect pupae have visible head appendages, wings and legs which lie in sheaths attached to the surface of the body (all Diptera except Cyclorrhapha). Exarate pupae (Cyclorrhapha only) have free appendages. These free appedages are not visible as the pupa lies within the last larval instar skin which is hardened (puparium). Such Diptera pupae are called coarctate.<br />
Recommended literature: Smith, K.V.G., 1989. An introduction to the immature stages of British flies. Diptera larvae, with notes on eggs, puparia and pupae. - Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects 10(14): 1-280. As an excellent reference with keys to suborders, families, subfamilies and genera. For Cyclorrhapha the key applies equally since they have puparia (although the parts may be harder to see).<br /><img src='../../infusions//terms/images/no_image.gif' style='vertical-align:middle;' />] delay=[0] fade=[on]

is formed. The puparium may exhibit useful taxonomic characters.

pupate

To transform to a pupa

putative

Generally regarded as such, supposed, or reputed to be.
Usage example: 'Further analysis of the integument of this putative second instar (Fig. 3b) indicated that...'. Here the integument was generally believed to be of a second instar larva but may not have been. When a species is ' putatively identified' it means that identification is not certain and should be considered preliminary.

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