What are the modification of insect legs?

Answer 1

Modification of insect legs in the morphological terms means changes according to the function required.

For example:

Insects have ambulatory legs having the most simple type of five major segments (coxa, trochanter, femur tibia and tarsus) for the most simple function i.e walking. Many other insects also have adapted their leg to perform other functions like cursorial for running present in cockroaches, raptorial for grasping prey these are prolegs of preying mantids have coxa very long and two rows of large spines on femur and tibia both, the femur have a groove between two spine rows in which tibia fits ,and natatorial meta legs of giant water bug have long hair on tarsus that help in swimming.

M. Fahim Khalid

University College of Agriculture,

Bahauddin Zakaria University,

Multan, Pakistan.

Answer 2

Insect legs can be modified for various functions, such as jumping, swimming, grasping, or digging. Modifications may include suction cups for climbing, spines for gripping prey, flippers for swimming, or enlarged femurs for powerful jumping. These modifications enable insects to adapt to different environments and lifestyles.

Answer 3

The structure of insect legs differs based on the function of the legs. Short legs are inefficient for walking and long, folded legs are often used for jumping.