A Locust (<i>Schistocerca gregaria</i>) (IMAGE)

University of Leicester

A Locust (<i>Schistocerca gregaria</i>)

Caption

The image shows a locust (Schistocerca gregaria) used in the Current Biology article. The insect has greatly enlarged hind legs which propel the animal into the air when it jumps. The femur-tibia joints ("knee" joints) are clearly visible in all the legs, and it is evident that those of the hind leg are enlarged and strengthened with dark cuticle to withstand the forces involved in jumping. This specimen is 7cm long.

Credit

Photo ©Tom Matheson

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