Head morphology

Labrum

A sclerite it is known as the “upper lip”, forms the roof of the pre-oral cavity and mouth. 

Clypeus

Sclerite in the head. It is where the labrum attaches anteriorly. It is found below the frons.

Vertex

A Sclerite on top of the head found posteriorly to the frons.

Gena

A sclerite found on the head. It is the insect's cheek, found on each side of the head, below the compound eye.

Frons

The only anteromedial sclerite in the head. It is found between the clypeus and the epicranium.

Labrum

“The top lip”, forms the roof of the pre-oral cavity. Attached to the clypeus sclerite. 

Hypopharynx

Lobe in the mouth. It forms the posterior floor of the pre-oral cavity. (Surrounded by glossae)

Maxillae

It is a complex mouth structure with many parts. Used for many things.

Maxillary palps

Found on the stipes of the maxillae. It is used in food manipulation and sensory uses.

Galea

Known as the spoon, it contains the bolus in the right area. Found at the end of the maxillae/its lateral lobe.

Lacinia

Known as the “fork”, the middle lobe of the maxillary stipes.

Stipes

The distal part of the maxillae with many lobes.

Cardo

Proximal part of the maxillae.

mandibles

Paired jaw-like mouthparts used for chewing, cutting, slicing and as a grinding base. 

Labium

The lower lip, coming the floor of the mouth often with lobes/palps.

Epipharynx 

The ventral side of the labrum. It is the membranous roof to the mouth. 

glossae

Known as the “tongue”. It is one of the pairs of lobes on the inner apex of the prementum

paraglossae

It is one of the pairs of lobes between the glossae and the labial palps. 

Labial palps

3-segmented appendages of the labium.

Gula

A ventromedial sclerotized plate on certain insects' heads. 

Postmentum

Proxiaml part of the labium

Prementum

Distal end of the labium. Attaches to the labium’s other segments. 

Opisthognathous

the head is flexed in such a way that the mouthparts are found posteriorly,behind jaw mouth arrangement

Hypognathous

Down/under facing mouth arrangement. Ex, found in scavengers and pollinators. 

Prognathous

 Forward facing mouth arrangement. Think about it like an underbite. Ex, people, coleoptera.