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Insect Morphology and SystematicsLEGS AND THEIR MODIFICATIONInsect Morphology and SystematicsLEGS AND THEIR MODIFICATION
LEGS
The
fore-legs
are located on the prothorax, the
mid-legs
on the mesothorax, and
the
hind legs
on the metathorax. Each leg has six major components, listed here from proximal to
distal:
coxa
(plural coxae),
trochanter
,
femur
(plural femora),
tibia
(plural tibiae),
tarsus
(plural
tarsi),
pretarsus
. The femur and tibia may be modified with spines. The tarsus appears to be
divided into one to five "pseudosegments" called
tarsomeres
. The term
pretarsus
refers to the
terminal segment of the tarsus and any other structures attached to it, including:
ungues -- a pair of claws
arolium -- a lobe or adhesive pad between the claws
empodium -- a large bristle (or lobe) between the claws
pulvilli -- a pair of adhesive pads
Like the mouthparts and antennae, insect legs are highly modified for different functions,
depending on the environment and lifestyle of an insect.
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