metathorax

American  

[met-uh-thawr-aks, -thohr-] / ˌmɛt əˈθɔr æks, -ˈθoʊr- /

noun

plural

metathoraxes, metathoraces

1. the posterior division of the thorax of an insect, bearing the third pair of legs and the second pair of wings.

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metathorax British  

/ ˌmɛtəˈθɔːræks, ˌmɛtəθɔːˈræsɪk /

noun

1. the third and last segment of an insect's thorax, which bears the third pair of walking legs and the second pair of wings See also prothorax mesothorax

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Other Word Forms

• metathoracic adjective

Etymology

Origin of metathorax

First recorded in 1810–20; meta- + thorax

Example Sentences

The thorax narrowed anteriorly into a short neck, behind which it is dilated, the sides being rounded, the meso- and metathorax narrower and of nearly equal width, the spines of the metathorax minute and slender.

From Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society - Vol. 3 Zoology by Various

But the loudest and most remarkable vocal organs of all insects are those of the male cicads, which “sing” by the rapid vibration of a pair of “drums” or membranes within the metathorax.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 3 "Helmont, Jean" to "Hernosand" by Various

Thorax: the sides and beneath with a thin silvery-white pile; the legs ferruginous with the coxæ black, the posterior pair red beneath; the thorax closely punctured, the metathorax transversely striated; wings fulvo-hyaline, the nervures pale-testaceous.

From Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society - Vol. 3 Zoology by Various

Neural canal: an incomplete tunnel on the floor of meso- and metathorax, formed by fusion of apodemes, serving for the reception and protection of the ventral nerve cord and for the attachment of muscles.

From Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology by Smith, John. B.

Thorax oblong-ovate with the metathorax truncate; the wings fusco-hyaline, the stigma large and black.

From Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society - Vol. 3 Zoology by Various