Cursorial

Cursorial is a phrase used to describe the legs of some insects and other invertebrates that are modified for running. Cursorial limbs are often slender and can be moved very quickly.

A good example of an insect that has cursorial limbs are tiger beetles (beetles within the Family Carabidae, Subfamily Cicindelinae). Some species of tiger beetle can run at 5mph and, with their large jaws, they are fierce predators.

A photograph of a tiger beetle (Cicindela hybrida) showing the cursorial legs.
Photograph by Richard Bartz licensed under Creative Commons.

Related terms

• Coleoptera
• Fossorial
• Raptorial
• Saltatorial

Related groups of terms

• General biology
• Invertebrate body structure

Related pages on this web site

• Insect body structure

See other words beginning with C