Knowhow Team explains: Unlike lizards, insects do not have their feet equipped with tiny pads and hair. In spite of that, they can walk on all kind of surfaces, no matter what their inclinations are.

This is possible due to the bio-technical innovations in their legs.

While walking, at any given moment, only three out of the six legs touch the surface. A tripod-like structure is thus created with the anterior and posterior limbs on one side and the mid limb on the other.

As the insect walks, it has to shift its centre of gravity within the triangle formed by the three legs to remain stable. As soon as the centre of gravity falls outside the tripod base, the other set of legs takes over. So the body zig-zags slightly.

While climbing rough surfaces, insects use their tarsal claws (near the ankle) to maintain their hold. But on smooth surfaces like leaves or glass, they use “adhesive organs” which are present on the tarsal surface.

These have tiny “tenent hairs”, moistened with a greasy secretion, and soft delicate ends. They are brought into such intimate contact with the surface that adhesion takes place and the insect is held by intermolecular forces.

The question was sent by

Mohan Kumar from Assam