Scanning electron micrograph of a foot of a housefly, Musca domestica. The foot of the fly consists of two claws (partially seen either side) & two pa

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Scanning electron micrograph of a foot of a housefly, Musca domestica. The foot of the fly consists of two claws (partially seen either side) & two pads or cushions called pulvilli. The foot serves a dual purpose; on rough surfaces the claw grips & on smooth surfaces the miniature tubes covering the pads secrete a substance, which enables adhesion. It is uncertain whether the tubes secrete a glue or whether physical effects of surface tension & molecular action account for the adhesion. Many of the hairs, or setae, on the insect serve as tactile sensory organs. Magnification 800 (at 10x8 size).

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Size: 3562px × 2445px
Photo credit: © DR JEREMY BURGESS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: animal, domestica, fly, foot, housefly, insect, insecta, invertebrate, invertebrates, musca, nature, pulvillus, wildlife, zoology