Halteres of a Crane fly. Macrophotograph of the head and thorax of a Crane fly (family: Tipulidae) showing the halteres. At top is the head with black

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Halteres of a Crane fly. Macrophotograph of the head and thorax of a Crane fly (family: Tipulidae) showing the halteres. At top is the head with black compound eyes and mouthparts visible; a pair of wings and behind them long legs; short halteres posterior to the wings. Halteres are modified hindwings, formed into two drumstick-shaped structures which serve as balancing organs. The halteres vibrate when the insect is flying, and are thought to perform as gyroscopic sensors maintaining stability in flight.

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Size: 5113px × 3487px
Photo credit: © CLAUDE NURIDSANY & MARIE PERENNOU/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: animal, crane, daddy, fly, haltere, halteres, insect, insecta, invertebrate, invertebrates, longlegs, nature, tipulidae, wildlife, zoology