haltere

/ˈhɔltɪr/
noun
  1. A small, club-shaped balancing organ found in flies and other two-winged insects, used for stability during flight.
    • Under the microscope, the haltere looked like a tiny drumstick.
    • Scientists study the haltere to design better gyroscopes for drones.
    • A fly uses its haltere to maintain balance while flying through the air.
Synonyms