Question

Tegmina are-
A) Used in flight
B) Function as wing covers
C) Not used in flight
D) Both B and C

Answer 1

The phylum Arthropoda contains insects and some insects possess wings. The wings can be mesothoracic or metathoracic. Tegmina is the structure located on insects. These are found in the following orders- Orthoptera (grasshoppers and crickets), Dermapetara(earwigs), Blattodea(cockroaches), Mantodea(praying mantis), Phasmatodea(leaf insects), etc.

Complete answer:
If we recall the body of an insect we know that the thorax region is divided into three main parts-
• Prothorax
• Mesothorax
• Metathorax
Let's take the example of a cockroach, belonging to Phylum Arthropoda and order- Blattodea, the body contains 2 pairs of wings.
The forewing is the first pair of wings and they arise from the mesothorax and the hindwings form the second pair of wings and arise from the metathorax. The forewing or mesothoracic wings are called tegmina and these are opaque, dark, and leathery. So, in other words, we can define tegmina as-
The modified leathery, dark, and opaque front wing on insects which functions as wing covers and is not used in flight.
On the other hand, the hind wings or metathoracic wing are transparent, membranous and are used in flight and they are protected by tegmina when at rest.

Tegmina functions as wing cover and is not used in flight. So, option D is correct.Tegmina functions as wing cover and is not used in flight. So, option D is correct.

Additional information: Tegmina in some species acts as soundboards for sound production. In some species like beetles Tegmina term is not used but instead, the term Elytra is used for forewings.

Note: Some other functions include-
• In some species of Mantids, the tegmina which are present on the back are not striking, but when suddenly raised, act as a display of threat which resembles a pair of eyes.
• They have significance in insects such as migratory locusts that cover long distances.