pulvillus [FBbt_00004655]

pulvillus

ID: FBbt_00004655

Lateral lobe of the pretarsus, ventral to the auxiliae and proximal to the claws (unguis). It consists of a proximal, stiffer base part and a more flexible part, as well as approximately 30 setae (Husken et al., 2015). The setae are hair-like cuticle outgrowths that differentiate from epidermal cells and have spatula-like terminal contact zones (Husken et al., 2015; Kimura et al., 2020; Tanaka et al., 2023). Fluid secretions coat these terminal contact zones, facilitating adhesion to smooth surfaces and leaving footprints where the fly walks (Husken et al., 2015). There are two of these per leg (Husken et al., 2015; Tanaka et al., 2023).