Positioned to Move

Left: Cockroach Tibia and Tarsus
Right: Cartoon Showing Location of Muscles

The legs of insects are remarkably complex and generally outperform human attempts to mimic their actions. Insects are able to move rapidly over uneven surfaces and adjust their legs to grip the terrain.

An insect will use the last segment of its leg, the tarsus, to contact and grip a surface. The tarsus is a narrow structure with little room for muscles and nerves. The muscles that move the tarsus are not located in…

Source: Living With Insects Blog