Image of figeater beetle

Description:

At a low magnification of only 45X, this scanning electron micrograph (SEM) depicted some of the morphologic exoskeletal features located at the distal end of an adult figeater beetle’s, Cotinis mutabilis leg. Depicted here was the claw-like tip of the insect’s 5th tarsomere, as well as its accompanying empodium. This appendicular configuration affords the beetle a secure grasp of objects within its environmental domain, such as foliage or food. See PHIL 9944, 9945, 9947, 9948, and 9949 for additional views of these exoskeletal features.
Created: 2007