TYPES OF INSECT LEGS

Hind leg Mid leg Front leg pronotum mesopleuron spiracle metapleuron coxa femur Note the spines on the hind legs of this grasshopper are used for defense against predators. Legs are segmented. A Femur is like a thigh, A Tibia is like a shin. A Tarsus is like a foot. tibia trochanter Mid leg Front leg tarsus

STRUCTURE OF LEG

Leg parts to know Coxa Trochanter Femur Tibia Tarsus Pre-tarsus

Ambulatorial (Ambulate - to walk; Walking leg)

Cottonwood leaf beetle Boxelder bug Tarnished plant bug

Cursorial : (Cursorial = adapted for running : Running leg)

Oriental cockroach Ground beetle Bronze tiger beetle

Saltatorial - (Saltatorial = Leaping ; Jumping Leg)

Scansorial : (Scansorial = Climbing; climbing or clinging leg)

Fossorial : (Fossorial = Digging; Burrowing leg)

Southern mole cricket Cast skin of cicada

Raptorial : (Raptorial = predatory ; Grasping leg)

Natatorial (Natatorial = pertaining to swimming

Diving water beetle Whirlygig beetle

Sticking Leg

Basket Like Leg e.g. Legs of dragonfly

Basket Like Leg e.g. Legs of Damselfly

Clasping Leg e.g. Forelegs of male water beetle. The tarsus is flattend with adhesive discs which are useful to clasp the mate during copulation.

Foragial Leg (Forage = to collect food material)

Prolegs or False Legs or Pseudo Legs e. g Prolegs or False Legs or Pseudo Legs e.g. Abdominal legs of caterpillar.