pterostigman.
/ˌtɛrəˈstɪɡmə/, U.S. /ˌtɛrəˈstɪɡmə/ Entomology.
A pigmented spot on the anterior margin of the wings of certain insects that is denser than the surrounding (typically transparent) parts of the wing and influences the motion of the wing membrane during flight.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Insecta > parts of insects > [noun] > wings(s) > stigma
stigma1826
pterostigma1861
orbicular1890
1861 H. Hagen Synopsis Neuroptera N. Amer. 9 Pterostigma triangular.
1886 Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist. 265 The wider venation and..the brown pterostigma without darker nebula separate this species from all related ones.
1947 A. D. Imms Outl. Entomol. (ed. 3) iv. 115 Odonata... Two pairs of membranous, glassy wings each with a pterostigma and numerous cross-veins.
1994 Jrnl. Zool. 232 253 Enhanced supination of the leading edge, in the face of an overall increase in wing membrane stiffness, may be related to the presence of the highly-sclerotized pterostigma.
2001 G. C. McGavin Essent. Entomol. 179 Both pairs of wings have a small dark or pale mark called the pterostigma on the front edge towards the wing tips.
Derivatives
ˌpteroˈstigmal adj. of, relating to, or characterized by a pterostigma.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Insecta > parts of insects > [adjective] > of wing(s) > of or relating to stigma
pterostigmal1861
pterostigmatical1861
1861 H. Hagen Synopsis Neuroptera N. Amer. 9 Wings with obscure black veins, pterostigmal spot absent.
1931 Ann. Entomol. Soc. Amer. 24 320 R1 close to Sc, straight, with a prominent pterostigmal hump.
1995 Jrnl. N. Amer. Benthol. Soc. 14 86/2 Wings with white wing bar in pterostigmal region of costal margin.
ˌpterostigˈmatic adj. rare = pterostigmal adj.
ΚΠ
1890 Cent. Dict. Pterostigmatic, having a pterostigma, as an insect's wing; provided with pterostigmata, as an insect.
1899 Trans. Amer. Entomol. Soc. 26 253 The pterostigmatic region is slightly brownish.
1906 Trans. Amer. Entomol. Soc. 32 10 Venation yellowish, rather more yellowish in the pterostigmatic region.
ˌpterostigˈmatical adj. rare = pterostigmal adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Insecta > parts of insects > [adjective] > of wing(s) > of or relating to stigma
pterostigmal1861
pterostigmatical1861
1861 H. Hagen Synopsis Neuroptera N. Amer. 149 Two angulose bands, the one nodal, the other pterostigmatical.
1906 Trans. Amer. Entomol. Soc. 32 8 Panorpa carolinensis... Wings hyaline whitish, with black bands and spots as follows: an apical band, a broad pterostigmatical band, [etc.].
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.1861