Claire Weiss' Online Dicotomous Insect Identification Key

Abdominal Cerci



Some insects have cerci (singular cercus) which are elongated, scleritized appendages on the last segment of the abdomen (thus, abdominal cerci).  In dermaptera, earwings, these cerci are shaped as forceps as pictured in the close up of the insect's abdomen, below.