Frenulum

The frenulum is a row of bristles along the leading (front) edge of the hind wing of butterflies and moths and also in some Hymenoptera such as bees and wasps. The frenulum connects the hind wing and fore wing and makes the two wings act a single surface during flight. It is therefore more efficient.

In bees and wasps the frenulum is sometimes also known as the hamuli.

A photograph of the fore and hind wings of a Vespid wasp. The fore and hind wings are connected using a row of tiny hooks called the frenulum.
Photograph by SecretDisc licensed under Creative Commons.

Other names for (or types of) Frenulum include:

• Hamuli

Related terms

• Alary
• Androconia
• Apoidea
• Discal cell
• Hymenoptera
• Jugum
• Pterostigma
• Radius
• Vein

Related groups of terms

• Invertebrate body structure

Related pages on this web site

• Bees, Wasps and Ants - Order Hymenoptera
• Butterflies and Moths - Order Lepidoptera
• Insect body structure

See other words beginning with F