1. One of a pair of small, club-shaped organs found in flies and other dipteran insects, derived from the hind wings and used for balance and flight stabilization.
Usage: zoology; entomology; usually used in plural form 'halteres'

Examples

• The halteres of a fly vibrate rapidly during flight to help maintain stability.
• Unlike other insects, dipterans have evolved halteres instead of functional hind wings.
• Scientists study the halteres of flies to understand insect flight mechanics.
• The halteres act as gyroscopic organs that detect rotational movements.
• Under a microscope, you can see the delicate halteres extending from the fly's thorax.