Propodeum

The propodeum is the first abdominal segment in Apocrita Hymenoptera (wasps, bees and ants). It is fused with the thorax to form the mesosoma. It is a single large sclerite, not subdivided, and bears a pair of spiracles. It is strongly constricted posteriorly to form the articulation of the petiole, and gives apocritans their distinctive shape.

References

    This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Friday, March 01, 2013. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.