Insect Thorax

- 3 segmented

Anterior Posterior
Prothorax Mesothorax Metathorax

Pterothorax
Insect Thorax
Appendages – Legs & Wings
Insect Thorax

Cross section of insect thorax

notum

pleuron pleuron

sternum
TYPES OF INSECT LEGS
 pronotum

mesopleuron
spiracle
metapleuron Hind leg

coxa

femur

tibia trochanter

Front leg tarsus Mid leg

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)
 Bronze tiger beetle
Oriental cockroach Ground 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
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. Abdominal legs of
caterpillar.