Leg-modification
Guides
Empis geneatis
dance fly
Empis geneatis is a species of dance fly in the family Empididae, first described by Melander in 1902. It belongs to the subgenus Enolempis within the genus Empis. Males of this species exhibit distinctive leg modifications: an opposing pair of large teeth on each side of the "knee" joint on the hind leg, a character absent in females. The species is part of a diverse group of predatory flies known for their elaborate courtship behaviors.
Habronattus calcaratus maddisoni
Maddison's Jumping Spider
Habronattus calcaratus maddisoni is a subspecies of jumping spider in the family Salticidae, described by Griswold in 1987. It belongs to the genus Habronattus, a large group of small jumping spiders known for elaborate courtship displays involving visual and acoustic signals. Males of the Habronattus calcaratus species group possess modified third legs with prominent spurs used in visual signaling to females during courtship. This subspecies occurs in western North America, with records from the United States.
Laemosaccus burkei
Laemosaccus burkei is a species of weevil in the family Curculionidae, described by Henry Hespenheide in 2019. The genus Laemosaccus belongs to the tribe Anthonomini, a group of weevils noted for modified leg structures. Members of this genus, including L. burkei, exhibit distinctive ornamentation on the front femora with teeth—a trait referenced in discussions of morphological variation among weevils. The species is known from limited observations, with 8 records documented on iNaturalist.
Laemosaccus obrieni
Laemosaccus obrieni is a species of weevil in the family Curculionidae, described by Henry Hespenheide in 2019. The genus Laemosaccus is characterized by modified front femora bearing teeth, a trait shared with certain other weevil genera including Tachygonus. This species belongs to a group of weevils exhibiting structural elaboration of leg segments.