Petiole (insect anatomy) a pedicel, but in entomology, that term is more correctly reserved for the second segment of the antenna; while in arachnology, 'pedicel' is the accepted term to define the constriction between the cephalothorax and abdomen of spiders. The plump portion of the abdomen posterior to the petiole (and postpetiole in the Myrmicinae) is called the gaster. The structure of the petiole is an easy way to visually classify ants, because the major subfamilies of Formicidae have structural differences: some ants have two-segmented petioles, while others have a single-segmented petiole. Petiole may also be used in the context of wing veins,
Insect-class gunboat vessels, "Cricket", "Gnat", and "Ladybird", were transferred to the Mediterranean Fleet's Inshore Squadron. They joined the monitor and provided bombardment support for the 8th Army. Their shallow draught allowed them to act also as supply and landing vessels, able to get close-in to beaches. In June 1943, "Aphis" took part in the bombardment of Pantelleria (Operation Corkscrew). Insect-class gunboat The Insect-class gunboats (or large China gunboats) were a class of small, but well-armed Royal Navy ships designed for use in shallow rivers or inshore. They were intended for use on the Danube against Austria-Hungary (the China name was to disguise