What Is Sclerites in Insects?

sclerite noun - the chitinous plates constituting the hard surface of an insect. They usually do not correspond to particular anatomical areas (particular segments of the thorax or abdomen, for instance). Sclerites in particular areas are given specific names: tergites - on the dorsal surface of the body.

What is the function of sclerites?

Surface sclerites (spicules), called clubs, modify colony flexion by limiting compressibility of the outer cortex when they contact each other. Scaphoids progressively limit extension as their ventral tubercle belts engage similar tubercles on underlying spindles.

What are sclerites in biology?

A sclerite (Greek σκληρός, sklēros, meaning "hard") is a hardened body part. In various branches of biology the term is applied to various structures, but not as a rule to vertebrate anatomical features such as bones and teeth.