noun
- fleshy leg-like appendages found on the abdomen of caterpillars and some other insect larvae, used for gripping and locomotion
Usage: biology; entomology
Examples
- The caterpillar used its prolegs to grip the branch tightly.
- Unlike true legs, prolegs are soft and lack joints.
- Most caterpillars have five pairs of prolegs on their abdomen.
- The prolegs help the larva move along leaves and stems.
- When the caterpillar transforms into a butterfly, it loses its prolegs.
- Scientists can identify different species by examining their prolegs.