BIOLS433

BIOLS433-2
Done by: Yousif Adel
 Thorax
-The thorax is made up of 3 segments: Prothorax (first segment),
Mesothorax (second segment) and metathorax (third segment)
-In Apterygotes, all 3 segments are equal in size. But in winged
pterygote insects, mesothorax & metathorax are enlarged in comparison
to prothorax

-Each thoracic segment has 4 regions: tergum (dorsal region) also called
notum, two lateral regions called pleuron and ventral region called the
sternum
-The pronotum (tergum of the thorax) of the prothorax is generally
simple in structure and small in comparison with the other nota. But in
cockroaches, the pronotum is expanded and modified as a shield,
covering the head anteriorly and mesothorax posteriorly

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 1. Anterior wing bearing alinotum

Winged notum 2. Posterior phragma-bearing postnotum

1. Prescutum
Notum of
pterothoracic 3 sclerites 2. Scutum
segments
3. Scutellum

1. Anterior episternum

Pleuron 2 sclerites
2. Posterior epimeron

-Sternum is divided into 4 sclerites: prosternum, basisternum, sternellum

and spina-sternum
-The head joins the thorax by the cervix (Neck) [membranous structure]
-Notum, pleura and sternum of each segment have a variety of sclerites
varying greatly from order to order
-The legs arise from the pleura of thoracic segments

Legs
-Insects are hexapods having 3 pairs of jointed legs, articulated to the
pleura of the thorax
-Each leg has 6 components (In sequence from the body), they are: coxa,
trochanter, femur, tibia, tarsus and pretarsus. Each is single segmented
except tarsus which usually consists of 3-7 segments (tarsomeres)

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-Coxa: a proximal segment. It articulates with the pleuron. It is believed
that it is derived from ancestral precoxa
-Trochanter: has dicondylic articulation with the coxa and joint rigidly
to the femur
-Femur: the largest stouter segment of the legs in most insects. The
femur is fixed to trochanter
-Tarsus: ancestral tarsus was single segmented, but in modern insects
tarsi are divided generally into 5 subsegments (Tarsomers). The number
of tarsi plays an important role in the identification of insects
-Pre-tarsus: the distal segment of the typical insects. Collembola,
Protura and some larvae of Endopterygota have single claw. But most
insects have a pair of claws and unguis between the claws. There is a
pre-tarsus supporting plate called unguitractor. Above the unguitractor,
there is a forward lob-like extension from the distal end of the pre-tarsus
called arolium

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 Modifications in legs
-Insects have different types of modified legs based on adaptation to
their habit and habitats
Leg type Found in Description Fig.
Ambultorial Black field cricket -The legs are long
and cylindrical and
adapted for walking

Cursorial Cockroaches -The legs are

cylindrical and long
and the coxae are
well developed
-Legs are adapted for
fast running
Saltatorial Grasshoppers -The hind femur is
greatly enlarged and
contains strong
muscles
-Such legs are
adapted for jumping
Scansorial Lice -Tibia is stout and
(clinging one side bears a
thumb-like process
(tibial thumb)
-Tarsus is single-
segmented & bears a
curved claw (tarsal
claw). They are both
opposed to each other
and can grasp the hair
of the host or fibers
of cloths
-Such legs are
adapted for clinging
the hair fibers

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 Fossorial Mole cricket -Adapted for digging into the
ground
-The tibia & tarsus are
flattened and bear blunt spines
-The legs are shaped like a
shovel for digging
Raptorial Mantis -Adapted for catching and
holding the prey between the
ventrally grooved femur and
sickled-shaped tibia of
forelegs

Web-spinning Embiamazor -Metatarsus (the first segment

(order- of the tarsus) is enlarged to
Embioptera) accommodate the silk glands,
secretion of which form the
silk threads used in the
spinning of the web

Natatorial Belostomaindica -The legs are broad and

flattened and marginally
fringed with dense hair,
forming oar-like structures
-Such legs are adapted for
swimming

Scooping Dragon & -The legs are anterior in

damsel flies position
-The legs are long having rows
of stiff bristles and are closely
placed used in seizing the prey
during the flight

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Bladder Thrips -Distal tarsomeres bear
footed vesicles to enable a firm hold
on to the surface on which
insects feed

Antennae Fore-legs of -Adapted in the cleaning of the antennae

cleaning honey bee -The metatarsus has a semicircular bristle
workers notch on its inner edge
-Tibia has a spur on its inner edge. Into that
notch, the base of the antenna is fitted and the
opening of this notch is covered with spur
Pollen Honey-bee -The surface of the metatarsi of middle legs
brushing workers has rows of bristles on its inner surfaces,
which are adapted to brush the pollen into the
heap
-Middle legs also have spurs on the inner
edge of the tibia. These spurs are used to
remove the pollen and wax from the pollen
basket and ventral surface of the abdomen,
respectively
Pollen The hind legs of -The outer surface of the tibia has a concave
collecting the honey bee cavity fringed marginally with hair (a pollen
worker basket)
-The cavity is used to store the pollen grain by
the rows of hair pollen combs present on the
inner surface of the metatarsus