labium

Classification · Explanation of Names · Identification · See Also · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

No Taxon (Glossary --use Taxonomy, then Info tabs to view entries)

No Taxon (L)

No Taxon labium

Explanation of Names

From Latin labium, meaning lip.

Identification

labium noun, adjective labial - the "lower lip" of the arthropod mouth. It closes the orifice of the mouth from below. Sometimes called the "tongue", and is regarded as a "second maxilla" because its structure is derived from the fusion of two maxilla-like appendages. The labium consists of two parts, the mentum and the ligula. In some groups, the labium is modified for sucking liquids as a proboscis. In some flies, the tip is modified for sopping liquids as a labellum. There are often labial palpi (sensory organs) attached.

(The plural labia would not be used for insects, since there is only one labium. The "upper lip" is the labrum.)

Diagrams and photos showing the labium:

labrum

labium (labellum, ligula, mentum, labial palpi)

proboscis

Print References

Gordh, A Dictionary of Entomology, p. 502 (1)

Internet References

Jardine's Dictionary of Entomology

Works Cited

1.	A Dictionary of Entomology By George Gordh, David H. Headrick

Contributed by Cotinis on 19 May, 2007 - 2:30am
Last updated 27 May, 2007 - 3:47am

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