Structure of 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:

a) Coxa: It is the basal segment articulated with the thorax in the pleural region. The parts of coxa is divided into two parts- the posterior and anterior (neron).

b) Trochanter: It is the small second segment articulated with coxa and forms an immobile attachment with the femur distally.

c) Femur: It is the first thickest, largest and stoutest segment of insect leg.

d) Tibia: It is the slender and second longest shank of the leg articulated with the femur by dicondylic joint.

e) Tarsus: Tarsus or foot is the subdivided into from two to five tarsomeres. The basal tarsomere, the basitarsus is articulated with tibia by a single condyle but other tarsomeres are connected by flexible membrane and can move freely. The distal end of tibia contains prominent spines or spurs that help to maintain a footing.

f) Pretarsus: It is the end of the tarsus that bears claws and pegs and is placed flat upon the ground when walking. Pretarsus usually bears two sharp curved hooks or claws between them some complicated pads also known as pulvulli, arolia or empodia which are very important in locomotion.