Proleg 1195114 223124284 2008-07-02T18:00:49Z Srleffler 252195 [[Wikipedia:Layout#Standard appendices and descriptions|Wikipedia:Layout]] '''Prolegs''' are the fleshy, stubby little structures found on the ventral surface of the [[abdomen]] of most [[larvae|larval]] forms of [[insect]]s of the Order [[Lepidoptera]], though they can also be found on other larval insects such as [[symphyta|sawflies]] and a few types of [[Diptera|flies]]. Prolegs of lepidopteran larvae have a small circle of gripping hooks, called "crochets". The arrangement of the crochets can be helpful in identification to [[Rank (zoology)|family]] level. Prolegs are not true [[arthropod leg|legs]]; they are not jointed, and so lack the five segments (coxa, trochanter, femur, tibia, tarsus) that true insect legs possess. They have their own musculature, but it is limited, and much of the movement of the prolegs is accomplished via [[hydraulics]]. == See also == * [[Terrestrial locomotion in animals]] == References == *Peterson, A. 1948. ''Larvae Of Insects. Part I: Lepidoptera & Hymenoptera; Part II: Coleoptera, Diptera, Neuroptera, Siphonaptera, Mecoptera, Trichoptera.'' Columbus, OH. *Richards, O.W. & R.G. Davies. 1977. ''Imm's General Textbook of Entomology'', 10th ed. (2 Volumes). Chapman & Hall, London. *Snodgrass, R.E. 1935 (1993 reprint). ''Principles of Insect Morphology''. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY. ==External links== *[http://www-staff.it.uts.edu.au/~don/larvae/faqs/legs.html How Many Legs Do Caterpillars Have?] [[Category:Entomology]] [[Category:Arthropod anatomy]] {{insect-stub}} [[de:Bauchbein]] [[it:Pseudozampe]] [[no:bukfot]]