Proleg Explained

A proleg is a small, fleshy, stub structure found on the ventral surface of the abdomen of most larval forms of insects of the order Lepidoptera, though they can also be found on larvae of insects such as sawflies. In all the orders in which they appear, mainly Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera, prolegs of any form evolved independently of each other by convergent evolution.^[1] They appear to have evolved from ancient inactive genes that have since been activated again.^[2]

Prolegs of lepidopteran larvae have a small circle of gripping hooks, called "crochets". The arrangement of the crochets can be helpful in identification to family level.^[3] Although the point has been debated, prolegs are not widely regarded as true legs, derived from the primitive uniramous limbs. Certainly in their morphology they are not jointed, and so lack the five segments (coxa, trochanter, femur, tibia, tarsus) of thoracic insect legs. Prolegs do have limited musculature, but much of their movement is hydraulically powered.

Number of prolegs for various insect larvae

Number of prolegs on insect larvae at abdominal segments A1–A9/10=S4-12/13 (T1–3: thorax segments with 6 legs)^[4]

Larvae of	Group/ Family	Order	A1=S4	A2=S5	A3=S6	A4=S7	A5=S8	A6=S9	A7=S10	A8=S11	A9/10=S12/13 (anal proleg pygopodium)	legs total incl T1–3
Butterflies/Moths	many	Lepidoptera	-	-	2	2	2	2	-	-	2	16
Archaic moths	Micropterygidae	Lepidoptera	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	24
Owlet moths	Noctuidae (some)	Lepidoptera	-	-	-	2	2	2	-	-	2	14
Owlet moths	Noctuidae (some)	Lepidoptera	-	-	-	-	2	2	-	-	2	12
Geometer moths	Geometridae	Lepidoptera	-	-	-	-	-	2	-	-	2	10
Sawflies	Symphyta (many)	Hymenoptera	-	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	22
Sawflies	Symphyta (some)	Hymenoptera	-	2	2	2	2	2	2	-	2	20
Sawflies	Symphyta (some)	Hymenoptera	-	2	2	2	2	2	-	-	2	18
some? Pamphiliidae	Pamphiliinae	Hymenoptera	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2	8
Mecoptera	all	Mecoptera	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	24
Caddisflies	all	Trichoptera	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2	8

See also

• Terrestrial locomotion in animals

References

• Peterson, A. 1948. Larvae Of Insects. Part I: Lepidoptera & Hymenoptera; Part II: Coleoptera, Diptera, Neuroptera, Siphonaptera, Mecoptera, Trichoptera. Columbus, OH.
• Richards, O.W. & R.G. Davies. 1977. Imm's General Textbook of Entomology, 10th ed. (2 Volumes). Chapman & Hall, London.
• Snodgrass, R.E. 1935 (1993 reprint). Principles of Insect Morphology. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY.

External links

• How Many Legs Do Caterpillars Have?

Notes and References

1. Suzuki . Y. . Palopoli . M. . 10.1007/s00427-001-0182-3 . Evolution of insect abdominal appendages: Are prolegs homologous or convergent traits? . Development Genes and Evolution . 211 . 10 . 486–492 . 2001 . 11702198. 1163446 .
2. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.add9389 Lepidopteran prolegs are novel traits, not leg homologs
3. Book: Richards, O. W. . Davies, R.G. . Imms' General Textbook of Entomology: Volume 1: Structure, Physiology and Development Volume 2: Classification and Biology . Springer . Berlin . 1977 . 0-412-61390-5 .
4. Stefan von Kéler: Entomologisches Wörterbuch. Akademie-Verlag Berlin 1963. p. 80.