The comparative morphology of the wings and axillae of selected Heteroptera

The wings of selected species are here treated as functional deformable aerofoils and their morphology described with this in mind. A novel type of non-tubular vein structure in the forewing and hindwing membranes, a 'channel vein', is described. The presence of small, cuticular membrane thickenings in the hindwing is recorded and their possible functions are discussed.
A comparative account of the structure and musculature of the axillae is presented with a view in particular to clarifying some of the associated terminology.
A mechanism for wing folding is described and previously unrecorded adaptations for this purpose seen in Notonecta are described and discussed.