Tergite or tergum

by Michael J. Sharkey

These two words are used in many systematic works as though they are synonymous. This, however, is not the case. The following definitions are from the new edition of Torre-Bueno's Glossary of Entomology.

Tergite: a dorsal sclerite or part of a segment, especially when such consists of a single sclerite.

Tergum: the upper or dorsal surface of any body segment of an insect, whether consisting of one or than one sclerite.

One often sees references such as "tergite one longer than tergite two". This is correct only if these terga are composed of one tergite each. If there are lateral and medial terga as is usual, one must use tergum (terga). To simply matters, one could use tergum (terga) in all instances since these terms are applicable when there is one or more than one sclerite composing the tergum.

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