Your Title Here…

EN
TO
M
OL
OG
Y

Photo by Joel Trick

Different Types of Legs of
Insects

GROUP 1

OR
D
A

CT
SH

RU
Z

ST
A

IN
R
FA
SE
R
UR SA
CO

IR
S
 Insect
The Tracheae Arthropods whose body is
•divided into three main regions

THORAX
 Insect Thorax
• The insect thorax is divided into three parts:
– prothorax (pro=first)
– mesothorax (meso=middle)
– metathorax (meta=last)


• Each of the three thoracic segments contains

one pair of legs.
• Wings are found only on the meso- and
metathoracic segments.
Insect Leg
 Different Types of Legs
Antennae
Cursorial Cleaner
Fossorial
Salatorial Silk
Clinging Secreting

Natatori
Pollen al
Collectin
g Raptorial
Basket Like
 Types of legs

Fossorial
Cursorial

Raptorial

Natatorial
Saltatorial
1.
Cursorial
• Basic type of insect legs
• Cursorial is for running
• Running legs are slimmer
and elongate
• E.g metaleg of cockroach
•
2.
 Salatorial

• Means “to jump or

vault”
• Legs are well anchored
by large tarsal pads
• Rapid contraction
results
• Most legs located on
metathorax
• E.g Metaleg of
grasshopper
3.
 Raptorial

• Front pair of legs is

modified to grasp
and hold prey
• Large muscles are
depressors
• Spines also may be
present on the femur
and tibia
• E.g proleg of mantid
4.
 Fossorial
•
• The forelegs are
shortened and heavily
sclerotized.
• Teeth projections are
used to rake through
soil
• The tarsi are reduced and
usually fold back out
of the way during
excavation activity
• E.g proleg of mole cricket
5.
 Natatorial

• Legs used for swimming

• When moving fast
friction is increased
by the rows of strong
setae on the legs
• The legs are returned
slowly to reduce the
friction
• E.g. metaleg of gaint
water bug and water
beetle
6.
7.
8.
9.
Tarsal Structures
 ! ! !
O U
Y
N K
H A
T