Cockroach - Thorax and Thoracic Appendages

Thorax

1. It comprises of three segments - prothorax, mesothorax and metathorax.
   
2. The three thoracic segments are covered by relatively thicker and larger tergites called nota.
   
3. The notum of prothorax called pronotum is very large and covers the neck also. Each of the mesonotum bears a pair of wings.

Thoracic Appendages

Each thoracic segment bears a pair of walking legs. Each walking leg consists of five segments:

1. Coxa.
   
2. A triangular short rod like trochanter articulated with,
   
3. A long, spiny femur.
   
4. A spring tibia which represents the largest segment and
   
5. A long tarsus. Tarsus is divided into five tarsomeres. The last tarsomere is called pretarsus forming the claws and bearing an adhesive arolium or pulvillus. Similar but smaller adhesive pads called plantula are located at each joint of tarsus.