The Anatomy of Insect Wings: Understanding the Alate

Alates (singular: alate) is a term used in entomology to describe the wings of insects. Insect wings are made up of two main parts: the wing base, which is attached to the body, and the wing blade, which is the flat part of the wing that is visible when the insect is at rest. The space between the wing base and the wing blade is called the alate, and it contains the veins that give the wing its shape and support its movement.

In some species of insects, such as butterflies and moths, the wings are held flat against the body when the insect is at rest, and the alate is not visible. In other species, such as bees and wasps, the wings are held at an angle to the body, and the alate is visible as a narrow strip between the wing base and the wing blade.

The term "alate" is derived from the Latin word "alatus," which means "winged." It is used in scientific descriptions of insects to provide detailed information about the structure and appearance of their wings.