Mandible is the upper jaw of arthropods. This part of the oral apparatus consists of a pair of identical elements. Most insects, as well as millipedes and crustaceans, have a mandible for chopping food. However, public insects have another function of this element - the construction of nests.
Origin
Mandible is the same as mandibles. It represents the extremities of the cephalic segments, which are significantly modified during evolution. There is an assumption that these are transformed coxopodites and endites. Once upon a time, they were equipped with ancient crustaceans.
The mandibles are hard, sclera-covered segments, on which there are brushes and various teeth. It seems that they are behind the upper lip.
All representatives of the maxillofacial have a peculiarity of the structure of the mandibles. They are attached at only one point to the head. The sides of their oral cavity reliably fused with the lower lip (its lateral part). Accordingly, pockets are formed. The jaws are placed in them: both lower and upper. It is precisely because of this feature that the whole class is called "covert."
In addition to this lateral articulation point, winged insects and bristle tails have one more. Thanks to this, they have the opportunity to make powerful closing and spreading movements with mandibles.
In all insects that have stings, tendons extend from the places of their articulation with the head. It is necessary for attaching the muscles that control these mandibles.
Functional Features
Mandibles in insects may vary depending on the type of oral apparatus. Accordingly, you can see the mandibles completely diverse in function, shape and even size.
So, in beetles, hymenoptera and orthopterans, the mandibles are very large. After all, they are necessary in order to grind, tear and hold food.
In flies, for example, a licking type of oral apparatus. Therefore, their mandibles are simply reduced. And the bees are characterized by a gnawing-licking version of the oral apparatus. Accordingly, although they have mandibles, they are greatly reduced, and besides, their dentation has been lost.
Beetles
The largest stinging bugs of the coleoptera, so the mandible beetle-deer are noticeable horns that are additionally branched. The lumberjack beetle has these jaws incredibly strong. In many respects, the shape and development of the mandibles depends on what fodder specialization of a particular beetle.
In ground beetles, for example, the upper jaws are long. With their help, you can easily get a snail directly from the sink.
Bees, ants and wasps
For hymenoptera, the mandible is the chewing upper jaws that resemble their primitive type. They use them to:
- Killing prey.
- Digging minks.
- Cutting plants.
- Creation of the nest.
- Holding your food.
At the same time, the lower jaws have a licking type and are designed to collect nectar.
Diptera and Lepidoptera
Diptera mandibles noticeably changed. So, in mosquitoes and some flies that suck blood, stings are stilettos. With their help, the insect pierces the skin. But the housefly completely lost its upper jaw. After all, she needs a mouth apparatus only to consume liquid food.
All caterpillars, lepidopterans have mandibles that have a gnawing type. True, only toothed moths retain them in adulthood. Many butterflies lose their mandibles. It turns into a small sucking proboscis to absorb sweet nectar.
Mandible - this is in the insects of the jaw, which are located on top. All of these stings are different, depending on their purpose.