noun
- Plural of metathorax; the posterior segment of the thorax in insects, bearing the third pair of legs and the hind wings.
Usage: entomology; technical
Examples
- The metathoraces of beetles are often heavily sclerotized for protection.
- Entomologists examine the metathoraces to classify insect species.
- The hind wings attach to the metathoraces in most flying insects.
- Structural differences in the metathoraces help distinguish between insect orders.