Acrostichal Bristles

The acrostichal bristles are a row of bristles on the top surface of the middle part of a fly's thorax (the mesothorax). The bristles run longitudinally, that is, in a line from the head-end in the direction of the rear of the insect.

Some flies have no acrostichal bristles and others will have many. The number and arrangement of these bristles is very important to entomologists as they can often be used to identify the species of fly.

A photograph of the blowfly Lucilia sericata showing the acrostichal bristles.

Related terms

• Diptera
• Thorax

Related groups of terms

• Invertebrate body structure

Related pages on this web site

• True flies - Order Diptera

See other words beginning with A