Scanning electron micrograph of a part of the undersurface of a foot of a housefly, Musca domestica. The foot of the fly consists of two claws (not se

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Scanning electron micrograph of a part of the undersurface of a foot of a housefly, Musca domestica. The foot of the fly consists of two claws (not seen ) & two pads or cushions called pulvilli; part of one is seen here. The foot serves a dual purpose; on rough surfaces the claw grips, & on smooth surfaces these miniature tubes covering the pads secrete a substance, which enables adhesion. It is unknown whether the tubes secrete a glue or whether physical effects of surface tension & molecular action account for the adhesion. Magnification 4500 (at 10x8 inch size).

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Size: 3543px × 5285px
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, pulvilli, pulvillus, sem, wildlife, zoology