Drosophila leg, tarsus, SEM

False-coloured scanning electron micrograph of a drosophila tarsus, the part of an insect's leg furthest away from its body. Two hooks or claws visible in the centre of the image are used for attaching to rough surfaces. Below the claws lie the tarsal pads (pulvilli) which are covered in hairs (tenet setae). An adhesive substance is secreted through these hairs, which allows the fly to attach to smooth surfaces. Drosophila melanogaster (also known as the fruit fly) is commonly used in scientific research, particularly in the fields of developmental biology and genetics. Horizontal width of image is 103 micrometres.