Clypeus

The clypeus (Latin clipeus, i "shield" ), also called head plate, is part of the head skeleton of insects and is located centrally behind the labrum. Usually the clypeus is offset by seams of the adjacent parts of the head skeleton.

In some insect groups (eg cockroaches ) is clearly divided into ante and Postclypeus the clypeus. Anteclypeus the closer to the upper lip. A Frontoclypeus produced by fusion of face and head shield.

In many insect groups there are species-specific, different configurations of the face plate, for example in terms of coloring and drawing, hair, dotting, microstructure, arching or special formations such as protruding teeth or ridges. In wasps, for example, the different drawing of the front plate ( in the form of points, anchors, etc. ) is used, among other features to identify the different species.

Even with the spiders of the most narrow portion between the front pair of eyes and the edge of the carapace is referred to as clypeus.

In art there is the name for a shield- like round Clipeus image as for the Tondo or even a picture on a round plate, where, for example, a portrait is shown. Which has been known since ancient times.