Definition:
Dactyls: (DACT-ill) Dactyls are tooth-like structures on the legs of mole crickets. The precise shape of the tibial dactyls is important in identification to the species level. Additionally, two dactyls occur on each tarsus. Surprisingly, nobody has shown how dactyls are used. They may loosen soil particles through which the mole crickets are tunnelling, thus acting like rakes. Some people assume they are used to snip off parts of plants, with the tarsal dactyls moving against the tibial dactyls, thus acting like scissors.
dactyl photograph
dactyls on several species