Tegula (insect anatomy)
As Tegula (the Pl tegulae ) is called in butterflies, Hymenoptera and Diptera paired on the second thoracic segment appendages ( mesothorax ) located. In stone flies and earwigs they can be located on the second or third segment (meso - or metathorax ). In beetles no tegulae are formed. The tegulae are mobile and act as Deckschuppe for the delicate wing base. They are oblong to triangular in shape and often provided on the top with a strong hair.
The attachment site is closed by a thin membrane, at the location you can for example distinguish between butterflies and moths. When the butterflies it is always at the bottom, with the moths (including Hesperiidae ) approximately in the center (see figure). For larger moths as the enthusiasts ( Sphingidae ) the tegulae from above take seen about the outer third of the thorax one. In some species, such as Hyles lineata Hyles and livornica the shape and color of the Tegulaebeschuppung can contribute to species differentiation.