Arthropod Morphology
Parts of an Insect (Grasshopper)
Head:
The anterior part of an insect body with eyes, antennae, and mouthparts.
Thorax:
The body section after the head, with the legs and wings attached. There are three sections of the thorax: the prothorax, the mesothorax, and the metathorax.
Abdomen:
The posterior section of the body containing the reproductive and digestive organs.
Spiracles:
Breathing pores.
Coxa:
The section of a leg that is attached to the body.
Trochanter:
The second segment of a leg, between the coxa and the femur.
Femur:
The third segment of a leg, between the trochanter and the tibia. (Grasshoppers and other jumping insects have enlarged hind femora with powerful muscles).
Tibia:
The fourth segment of a leg, between the femur and the tarsus.
Tarsus:
The leg segment after the tibia, often subdivided into several sections.
Genitalia:
The sexual organs.
Wings:
Outgrowths of the body wall that enable insects to fly. The first pair of wings is sometimes modified into a protective covering for the hind wings.
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