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

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

The metathorax bears the hind pair of wings and the third pair of legs.

From Butterflies Worth Knowing by Weed, Clarence M.

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.

"Observe the shortened prothorax and mesothorax and—" "And metathorax," chimed in the frump, her head close to his.

From The Haunted Pajamas by Elliott, Francis Perry

Note the division of the body into head, thorax, composed of prothorax, mesothorax and metathorax, and abdomen consisting of ring-like segments.

From An Elementary Study of Insects by Haseman, Leonard