In
Dipterous insects,
halteres (; singular
halter or
haltere), are minute dumbbell shaped organs that have been modified from
hindwings to provide a means of encoding body rotations during flight. Halteres are rapidly oscillated simultaneously with the wings, allowing them to experience forces resulting from body rotations. If the body of the insect rotates about one of its three axes (yaw, pitch or roll), the rotation exerts a force on the vibrating halteres, known as the
Coriolis effect (see below). The insect detects this force with sensory organs called
campaniform sensilla and
chordotonal organs located at the base of the halteres and uses this information to interpret and correct its position in space. Halteres act as a balance and guidance system by providing rapid feedback to the wing-steering muscles, as well as those responsible for stabilizing the head. This is what allows flies to perform their fast
acrobatics maneuvers.