Modifications in Insect leg

Modifications in Insect leg

1. Insect leg modifications .

2. Insect leg modifications Saltatorial – jumping Raptorial – seizing Fossorial – digging Natatorial – swimming Cursorial – running Ambulatory- walking Clinging or scansorial Sticking legs Foraging – pollen collecting

3. 1. Ambulatory legs are used for walking structure is similar to cursorial (running) legs Examples: Fore and middle legs of cockroach Bugs (order - Hemiptera ) leaf beetles (order - oleoptera )

4. 2.Saltatorial hind legs adapted for jumping characterized by an elongated femur and tibia Examples : Grasshoppers, crickets ( order - Orthoptera ).

5. 3.Raptorial fore legs modified for grasping (catching prey ) Help in catching prey Examples : Mantids (order Mantodea ), ambush bugs, giant water bugs and water scorpions (order Hemiptera

6. 4. Fossorial fore legs Forelegs are modified for digging Examples : Ground dwelling insects mole crickets (order - Orthoptera ) cicada nymphs (order Hemiptera )

7. 5. Natatorial legs modified for swimming have long setae on the tarsi Examples : Aquatic beetes (order Coleoptera ) bugs (order Hemiptera )

8. 6. Cursorial legs modified for running long , thin leg segments Examples : Cockroaches (order Blattaria ) ground and tiger beetles (order Coleoptera )

9. 7. Scansorial or Clining leg All three pairs of legs of head house Tibia is stout The tarsus is single segmented There is a single large claw that usually fits against a thumb-like process

10. 8. Sticking leg All the three pairs of legs of housefly Pretarsus consists of a pair of lateral adhesive pads called pulvilli and a pair of claw Arolium is absent A median spine like structure called campodium is present The pulvilli are covered with dense mats of tiny glandular hairs called tenant hairs

11. 9. Foragial leg Pollens collecting and carrying leg -honey bee Eye brush: Hairs on tibia useful to clean the compound eyes Antenna cleaner: Velum is a movable clasp present at distal end Tibia Pollen brush: useful to collect pollen