How Many Legs Do Flies Have?
WouterThere are three main types of legs in insects: the tarsus, the arolium, and the halteres. The tarsus has a pair of claws and a pair of pulvilli. The thorax, or the head, is fixed to the abdomen. The legs are attached to the thorax by three segments called sclerites, known as the halteres.
While the flies have two functional wings, researchers have not discovered why the acrobatics of flies require so many legs. Researchers have speculated that their wing motor neurons may be influenced by sensory feedback. This could be an important medical discovery. The new study is a step in understanding the anatomy of flies.
Flies have six legs and two pairs of wings. They also have two small organs called halters and two antennae. Their eyes consist of thousands of simple eyes, which compile images into mosaic vision. This allows the flies to see movement from different directions. Their eye structures also help them to detect light and know which way is up. Flies also have a thorax and an abdomen. These parts are covered with a hard exoskeleton made of chitin.
The thorax is the area of the body where the wings and legs are attached. In insects, the number of legs is important for stability. A tripod with three legs is more stable than one with four.
