8 



THE PARTS OF AN INSECT'S BODY 



The remaining prominent structures on the head of an insect are 

 the mouth parts. From a practical standpoint, there is no other 

 one thing in the makeup of an insect's bod}^ so important as the type 

 of mouth parts in a given pest. 



All insects may be divided into two classes, according to whether 

 they obtain their food by biting and chewing, or b}'- sucking ; in other 

 words, whether they have l)iting or sucking mouth parts. 



Fig. 5. — Mouth parts of a beetle. 

 a, labrum ; b, mandibles ; c, maxillae ; d, labium ; e, hypopharj-nx. Origi 



If we examine the head of a beetle, for instance, we shall find that 

 it possesses a distinct pair of jaws, or mandibles, obviously intended 

 for chewing or biting. Above these is an upper lip, or labrum ; below 

 is a pair of maxillsB, serving to hold the food and otherwise to assist 

 in eating ; and below these a lower lip or labium. If we look closely, 

 we shall be able to find between the mouth parts the insect's tongue, 

 or hypopharynx. 



