Like most mandibulate insects, ground beetles have a pair of maxillary palps as well as a pair of labial palps — both pairs serve primarily as touch and taste receptors. The mouthparts of orthopteran insects are often used as a basic example of mandibulate (chewing) mouthparts, and the mandibles themselves are likewise generalized in structure. The earliest insects had chewing mouthparts. They hold the food in position so that the sharp-edged mandibles can tear off edible bits. These are collectively known as “haustellate” mouthparts (derived from the Latin verb “haustor” meaning to draw up or suck). Earn Transferable Credit & Get your Degree, Get access to this video and our entire Q&A library. The mouthparts of grasshoppers, shown in Figure 37-4a, are modified for cutting and chewing leaves and blades of grass. Mouthparts The ancestors of present-day insects were probably worm-like arthropods with a simple mouth opening near the front of a bilaterally symmetrical body. What Are The Mouthparts Of A Grasshopper Adapted To Do . The mouthparts of a grasshopper. A long, slender proboscis is formed by the two galea of the maxillae which interlock to enclose a central food canal. BITING AND CHEWING MOUTH PARTS ORDER: ORTHOPTERA, eg: grasshopper Mouth parts are typical mandibulate type useful for biting, chewing and consisting of Labrum (upper lip) Mandibles (Ist pair of jaws) Maxillae (first maxilla-2nd pair of jaws) Labium (second maxilla or lower lip-3rd pair of jaws) Hypopharynx (tongue). They can chew, suck, pierce, lap, and sponge-up their food. Examine the figure below. It is a fused flap-like structure that forms the front end of the preoral mouth cavity. In die Likebox legen Aus der Likebox entfernen In den Warenkorb legen. They are large and hardened, shaped like pinchers, with cutting surfaces on the distal portion and chewing or grinding surfaces basally. The labium functions as a back lip. How Much Water Can Ants Drink Ask An Entomologist . Related Images: grasshopper insect nature cricket animal green locust close up macro moth. Arrows show the points of articulation (condyles) with the head capsule. These type of mouthparts are linked to solid food-based feeding and they can be currently observed in a lot of groups: crickets and grasshoppers; dragonflies and damselflies; beetles; cockroaches and mantis; mecopterans, neuropterans… and also in larval stages of some insects that develop a different type of mouthparts when reaching adulthood (e.g. Test. Examples of insects with haustellate mouthparts include true bugs, aphids (and their relatives), butterflies and moths, fleas, mosquitoes and many other types of flies. Each mouthpart is shown separately below with labels as follows: lr = labrum, md = mandibles, mx = maxillae, lb = labium, hp = hypopharynx (modified tongue-like region of the labium). Chewing insect pests on plants include caterpillars, beetles, grasshoppers, leaf-cutter bees, etc. A pair of jointed appendages located on the head of an insect above the mouthparts. These mouthparts evolved and specialised into other forms in insects such as bees, butterflies and mosquitoes. Grasshopper, any of a group of jumping insects of the suborder Caelifera that are found in a variety of habitats. A pair of jointed appendages located on the head of an insect above the mouthparts. Grasshopper Insect Red. Specialisation includes mouthparts modified for siphoning, piercing, sucking and sponging. All rights reserved. Legend: a, antennae; c, compound eye; lb, labium; lr, labrum; md, mandibles; mx, maxillae hp hypopharynx. 24 12 15. A lateral view of the head of a grasshopper showing the segmental arrangement of the mouthparts: labrum, mandible, maxilla, and labium. Order Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, and Alies) Orthoptera are small to large insects (~7 – 90 mm) that are most easily recognized by hind legs modified for jumping (with an enlarged hind femur) and a large pronotum. Next are the paired mandibles that are unfused lateral structures that articulate with the head capsule at two points. The labrum is suspended from the clypeus … Journal. Butterflies and moths have mouthparts specialized for probing into a flower and sucking out nectar. Basically, insects have two kinds of mouthparts: those for biting and chewing and those for sucking. This is a model of a cicada head. The mandible has two condyles (dicondylic), the maxilla only one, and the labium one on each side. Grasshopper mouthparts. Grasshoppers have been known to clear acres of crops, wild terrain, and urban landscaping. The maxillae and labium interlock to form a hinged proboscis that can be extended from beneath the head to lap up nectar. Primitive condition in Insecta. Test. Gravity. Which region of the grasshopper's body is... How long can a grasshopper live without food? Artwork of the anatomy of the mouthparts of a grasshopper. They may damage all or part of the plant including roots, stems, leaves, buds and open flowers. simonagupta1. This section provides an overview of the individual mouthparts of chewing insects. Basically all types of mouthparts are evolved from the chewing type. Learn about the characteristics and types of grasshoppers with this article. Journal of Zoology – Wiley. Insect mouth parts-Mandibulate type, Mandibulo-suctorial, Siphoning, Sponging & sucking, Rasping & sucking, Piercing & sucking, Chewing & lapping type This biting and chewing type of mouthparts are considered as the most primitive and unspecialized of all the mouthpart types. It actually represents the fused pair of ancestral second maxillae. Their mouthparts are directed forward to catch prey. The labrum and mandibles are completely absent (vestigal) in most of the Lepidoptera. The labrum is relatively short and close to the head capsule. Insect Mouthparts 1. Arrows show the points of articulation (condyles) with the head capsule. The sucking functions is completed by other which are mutually alternatives and imply a clear relation between the anatomical structure, the functional properties and, finally, the feeding beha… Created by. Bildnummer 12301138. Create your account. Orthoptera have biting/chewing mouthparts and a … the labrum is always in the front and the labium is always in the back). 5:37. Adult length is 1 to 7 centimetres, depending on the species. a: Antenne c: Komplexauge Template:Lr Template:Md Template:Mx. a. Grasshoppers have the typical insect body plan of head, thorax and abdomen. STUDY. They have a five segmented palp which is sensory and often concerned with taste. Organs for taste are located in the mouth, and those for smell are on the antennae. Most mouthparts represent modified, paired appendages, which in ancestral forms would have … [Modified after Snodgrass (1935). Grasshoppers occur in greatest numbers in lowland tropical forests, semiarid regions, and grasslands. What are the mouthparts of a grasshopper adapted to do? The hypopharynx is hollow and surrounds the salivary canal. • Prognathous. Some sucking mouthparts are like the turkey baster, but most sucking mouthparts are not simply tubes. BITING AND CHEWING MOUTH PARTS ORDER: ORTHOPTERA, eg: grasshopper … The development of insect mouthparts from the primitive chewing mouthparts of a grasshopper in the centre (A), to the lapping type (B) of a bee, the siphoning type (C) of a butterfly and the sucking type (D) of a female mosquito. Mandibles operate from side to side. Labium - the lower cover, often referred to as the lower lip. Grasshoppers. The lacinia is vestigal and the maxillary palp is very small, but the rod-shaped cardo and oblong stipes are easy to find. 38 37 11. Some of today’s more “advanced” insects have mouthparts that have become adapted for ingesting liquid food. PLAY. It surrounds six slender, sclerotized stylets that interlock to form a “sword” that probes for blood vessels. Parts and Functions of a Grasshopper. Arrows show the points of articulation (condyles) with the head capsule. Grasshopper (Locust) mouth part and antennae dissection and slide preparation part 1 - Duration: 5:37. maneesh Umar 92,096 views. Antenna is something like our nose but sense more information than our nose. simonagupta1. Its labrum is a broad flap that serves as a front lip. The food canal runs through a groove on the back side of the labrum. Mouthparts is a general term used in animal biology . These mouthparts are used by animals to help get their food organised before they swallow it. This happens by a food channel, structured in different ways according to systematic groups and the adaptation is called sucking mouthparts. - Lesson for Kids, Sunflower Lesson for Kids: Facts & Life Cycle, Wild Animals Lesson for Kids: Facts & Types, CSET Science Subtest I - General Science (215): Practice & Study Guide, FTCE Middle Grades General Science 5-9 (004): Test Practice & Study Guide, ILTS Science - Physics (116): Test Practice and Study Guide, ILTS Science - Environmental Science (112): Test Practice and Study Guide, SAT Subject Test Chemistry: Practice and Study Guide, CSET Science Subtest II Earth and Space Sciences (219): Test Prep & Study Guide, ILTS Science - Earth and Space Science (108): Test Practice and Study Guide, CSET Science Subtest II Chemistry (218): Practice & Study Guide, UExcel Earth Science: Study Guide & Test Prep, UExcel Basic Genetics: Study Guide & Test Prep, UExcel Weather and Climate: Study Guide & Test Prep, Middle School Physical Science: Help and Review, Biological and Biomedical Five-segmented maxillary palps and three-segmented labial palps serve primarily as touch and taste receptors. The mouthparts of arthropods have evolved into a number of forms, each adapted to a different style or mode of feeding. The labium has large lobes (labellae) with sclerotized grooves (pseudotracheae) on the under surface. Mandibles are long and curved with sharp tips for impaling a struggling victim. Chewing insects have two mandibles, one on each side of the head. Insect Mouthparts . Services, Working Scholars® Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community. 2,110 Free images of Grasshoppers. Large, conspicuous labial palps are usually present near the base of the proboscis. As insects evolved, they became more complex, expanded in range, and adapted to new food resources. Recall that all anthropods have mandibles and maxillae. 114 47 18. (Remember, “Form Follows Function” in biology). Immature stages of many holometabolous insects (like beetle larvae and lepidopteran caterpillars also have mandibulate mouthparts. The mosquito’s labium is the scabbard (sheath). Gravity. Insect Mouthparts: Part One When starting in entomology, mouthparts are some of the first things you learn about. Grasshoppers, crickets, and other simple insects. The mouthparts of other insects are specialized for th… Learn. Behind the mandibles are the maxillae, which also help hold and cut the food. The mouthparts of a female mosquito are highly modified to form a proboscis that is adapted for piercing skin and sucking blood. The arrow points to the palps, structures seen on most insects that chew. These are the basic form of an insect mouth, used for chewing. Long labial palps on the anterior side of the glossae are sensory in function. Its large outer lobes are paraglossae and the very small inner lobes are glossae. Its labrum is a broad flap that serves as a front lip. What are the grasshoppers mouthparts and their functions. Flashcards. Their mouthparts have stout mandibles and multi-segmented maxillae for chewing solid food — rather typical for a mandibulate insect. The galea of the maxillae flank the labium on each side, overlapping behind to form a channel through which nectar passes to the mouth. Mouthparts — may refer to: Arthropod mouthparts Insect mouthparts The parts of a mouth This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the same title. Insects have three body regions (head, thorax, & abdomen), 3 pairs of legs attached to the thorax, a single pair of antenna attached to the head, mouthparts adapted for chewing or sucking, and two pairs of wings. The most used chewing model is the one observed on orthopterans (such as locusts or grasshoppers). The labium retracts during feeding and all six stylets penetrate the host’s body. Palps – long, segmented mouth parts (under the jaws) that grasp the food. The head of the grasshopper is a hard capsule that contains large muscles, which operate the chewing mouthparts, and the brain and subesophageal ganglion, which serve as the main centers of the nervous system. The mouth parts of a grasshopper are adapted to the chewing and biting of plants. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. The grasshopper senses touch through organs located in various parts of its body, including antennae and palps on the head, cerci on the abdomen, and receptors on the legs. The mandibles in these insects are sharp, rigid, and strong, and they are used to capture, tear, and chew food. [Modified after Snodgrass (1935). Journal of Zoology – Wiley. Most mouthparts represent modified, paired appendages, which in ancestral forms would have appeared more like legs than mouthparts.In general, arthropods have mouthparts for cutting, chewing, piercing, sucking, shredding, siphoning, and filtering. Paired maxillae help manipulate the food with fork-shaped laciniae and spoon-shaped galeae. Usually people start with typical chewing mouthparts, like that of a grasshopper. STUDY. At rest, this tubular structure remains coiled beneath the head; it uncoils by hydrostatic pressure when the insect feeds. Grasshopper Nature. Legend: a, antennae; c, compound eye; lb, labium; lr, labrum; md, mandibles; mx, maxillae hp hypopharynx. Thorax: The body section after the head, with the legs and wings attached. Also the larvae of mosquito, housefly butterfly and honeybee also have biting and chewing mouthparts. Created by. When at rest, the labium forms a “mask” that covers the insect’s labium, mandibles, and maxillae. This happens by a food channel, structured in different ways according to systematic groups and the adaptation is called sucking mouthparts. Examples of adaptive radiation can be found just about everywhere in the insect world (think about variability in legs, wings, and antennae, for example). Mandibles are generalized grasping tools used for gathering pollen, handling wax, and grooming. Parts and Functions of a Grasshopper. Grasshoppers are medium-to-large in length, with characteristic long hind legs adapted for jumping. DIFFERENT TYPES OF MOUTHPARTS Biting and Chewing type Chewing and lapping type Lacerating and sucking type Piercing and sucking type Sponging type Siphoning type Mask type Degenerate type 3. A lateral view of the head of a grasshopper showing the segmental arrangement of the mouthparts: labrum, mandible, maxilla, and labium. Mouthparts is a general term used in animal biology ().It means the various bits and pieces around the opening of the alimentary canal (mouth). The labium, however, is modified into a hinged scoop that can be projected forward rapidly to catch prey. Entomologists pay close attention to mouthparts because their structure allows us to infer what type of food is consumed — plant or animal, solid or liquid, dead or alive. Grasshopper Viridissima. The ancestors of present-day insects were probably worm-like arthropods with a simple mouth opening near the front of a bilaterally symmetrical body. Terms in this set (22) Antenna. In all “primitive” insects, the mouthparts are adapted for grinding, chewing, pinching, or crushing bits of solid food. These are also found in silver fish, termites, earwigs, beetles, some hymenopterans and in caterpillars of Lepidoptera. Terms in this set (22) Antenna. Useful for Entomology students to prepare slide and to acquire basic knowledge and information about organs of insect Starting at the front or anterior end, you find the labrum which is the upper lip. When a fly lands on solid food, it may regurgitate a droplet containing digestive enzymes and then sponge up the residue moments later. While chewing and sucking are the basic functions of mouthparts, some insects use mouthparts for rasping-sucking (for example, thrips) and chewing-lapping (such as bees). This insect hatches from... Life Cycle of a Grasshopper: Lesson for Kids, Facts About Caterpillars: Lesson for Kids, How Do Bees Make Honey? Head: The anterior part of an insect body with eyes, antennae, and mouthparts. The mandibulate mouthparts are reduced in size allowing the insect to excavate a deep narrow hole that is used for feeding, and perhaps later, as a site for oviposition. Examples of Modified Mandibulate Mouthparts. This is an excellent example of adaptive radiation  (an evolutionary process in which two or more populations, exposed to different selective pressures, diverge from a common ancestor). The Grasshoppers Mouthparts And Their Functions Essay On Grasshopper . The mouthparts of house flies and blow flies are specialized for sponging up liquid food. Grasshopper has the most primitive type of mouthparts for chewing. Honey bees collect nectar and pollen from flowers. Grasshoppers have mouthparts that are adapted for chewing, which is the most basic type of mouthpart. 25 9 10. The sucking functions is completed by other which are mutually alternatives and imply a clear relation between the anatomical structure, the functional properties and, finally, the feeding beha… One hinge at the base of the postmentum and another hinge at the base of the prementum allow the labium to stretch forward so a pair of apical lobes can grab the prey. The epipharynx is a single small membranous piece lying under the labrum and bears taste buds. Sciences, Culinary Arts and Personal They open outwards (to the sides of the head) and come together medially. The stylets include two mandibles, two maxillae, the labrum, and the hypopharnyx. English: The development of insect mouthparts from the primitive chewing mouthparts of a grasshopper in the centre (A), to the lapping type (B) and the siphoning type (C). The grasshopper has mandibulate mouthparts that are directed downward for biting and chewing the leaves of a host plant. File Identifymed . The mouthparts pictured belong to the following insects: CHEWING: BEETLE Notice the sharp jaws (mandibles) of this predatory insect. Insect mouthparts exhibit a range of forms. Grasshopper head and mouthparts, SEM. They are sensory in function. Paraneoptera mouthparts the sucking tube beak in the. Spell. 247 211 34. Mandibles operate from side to side. Mouthparts - Mouthparts have evolved for special needs for different insects. Males have similar mouthparts, but they feed only on nectar. Grashopper Insect. These are also found in silver fish, termites, earwigs, beetles, some hymenopterans and in … They function in various ways:  probing/sipping, sponging/lapping, piercing/sucking, etc. Ground beetles are predators. 81 29 75. There are innumerable variations. The face of a caterpillar with the mouthparts showing. The differential grasshopper (Melanoplus differentialis) is a species of grasshopper in the subfamily Melanoplinae. Flashcards. Legend: a, antennae; c, compound eye; lb, labium; lr, labrum; md, mandibles; mx, maxillae hp hypopharynx. Knowing something about an insect’s diet leads us to even more information about it’s ecology and natural history. Useful for Entomology students to prepare slide and to acquire basic knowledge and information about organs of insect There are five basic components that form these mouthparts: Examples of insects with basic mandibulate mouthparts include grasshoppers, cockroaches, and ground beetles. Mouthparts are directed ventrally downward. Insects with Chewing Mouthparts Chewing insects feed by biting, ripping or tearing plant tissue. © copyright 2003-2020 Study.com. The hypopharynx is a fleshy, tongue-like process that hangs down between the maxillae. Grasshopper has the most primitive type of mouthparts for chewing. The proboscis is similar to a sword within a scabbard. The mouthparts of Xenocheíla zarudnyí Uvarov, a grasshopper from Iran, are described, including the distribution of sensilla. Usually people start with typical chewing mouthparts, like that of … Part of the Biodiversity Counts Curriculum Collection. Orientation of the mouthparts: • Hypognathous. Presented by Ch.Naga Satyasri M.Sc(Ag)-I year STUDY OF MOUTH PARTS IN INSECTS 2. The mouthparts of adults flies is adapted for sucking liquid food, sometimes represented by solid particles. These modifications have evolved a number of times. b. Examples of insect mouthparts. Control Grasshopper Garden Damage . Most mouthparts represent modified, paired appendages, which in ancestral forms would have appeared more like legs than mouthparts.In general, arthropods have mouthparts for cutting, chewing, piercing, sucking, shredding, siphoning, and filtering. Learn. Learn the parts that make up an insect with this illustrated guide to a grasshopper. The primitive chewing mouthparts of a grasshopper (A) the lapping type (B) of a bee the siphoning type (C) of a butterfly the sucking type (D) of a female mosquito. Match. The mouthparts of adults flies is adapted for sucking liquid food, sometimes represented by solid particles. Paired maxillae help manipulate the food with fork-shaped laciniae and spoon-shaped … Grasshopper has the most primitive type of mouthparts for chewing. Grasshopper Characteristics Grasshoppers are medium to large insects. Usually people start with typical chewing mouthparts, like that of a grasshopper. A grasshopper is a familiar insect that belongs to order Orthoptera, which also includes crickets and locusts. Common in phytophagous groups inhabiting open habitats (Thysanura, cockroaches, mantids, phytophagous beetles). During feeding, liquid food collects in these grooves and moves upward by capillary action until it can be sucked into the food canal on the backside of the labrum. The labrum and labium are mouthparts that function like upper and lower lips, respectively. The genus Romalea is a large grasshopper common in the southeastern United States. The mandible has two condyles (dicondylic), the maxilla only one, and the labium one on each side. Mandibulate mouthparts are often used as a model to explain the evolution of mouthparts in insects due to their ancestral origin. Antenna is something like our nose but sense more information than our nose. A pair of large, hairy maxillary palps are usually present on the upper part of the proboscis. These grasshoppers are known for the damage they do while eating. Become a Study.com member to unlock this The mandibles and labium are of unusual form and the possible significance of this is discussed. The structure and function of their mouthparts changed right along with their evolving diet and life style. Maxillae have finger-like laciniae and spatulate galeae that are covered with a dense brush of sensory hairs. They are typically the largest mouthpart of chewing insects, being used to masticate (cut, shred, tear, crush, chew) food items. This type of mouth parts are found in orthopteran insects like cockroaches, grasshoppers, crickets, etc. 2. Like their relatives the katydids and crickets, they have chewing mouthparts, two pairs of wings, one narrow and tough, the other wide and flexible, and long hind legs for jumping. Grasshoppers have large compound eyes and and have a board field of vision. Grasshoppers are medium to large insects. Published: Mar 1, 1966 [Modified after Snodgrass (1935). A pair of jointed appendages located on the head of an insect above the mouthparts. Grasshoppers, wasps, beetles and The head is held vertically at an angle to the body, with the mouth at the bottom. A lateral view of the head of a grasshopper showing the segmental arrangement of the mouthparts: labrum, mandible, maxilla, and labium. You have the basic parts: labrum (the upper lip, or as I like to call it, the Mr. Ed lip), two mandibles (the chewing jaws), two maxillae (these are like mouth fingers that help to orient and move the food into the jaws), and the labium (the bottom lip, or as I like to call it, the crumb catcher). They are: the mandibles (red), the labium and labrum (blue), and the maxillae (yellow). The mouthparts of cockroach are biting and chewing type. Thorax – the middle area of the grasshoppers body – where the legs and wings are attached. The hypopharnyx is hollow and encloses the salivary canal. Over many eons of time, tissues and appendages near the mouth opening came to be adapted for gathering and manipulating bits of solid food. Grasshopper mouthparts are a simplified type of chewing mouthparts. They have overlapping edges that cut like scissors and molar surfaces for grinding or crushing. It is derived from the fused glossae of the labium. Yum yum! The central-most part of the proboscis is a tongue-like structure containing the salivary canal. This type of mouth parts are found in orthopteran insects like cockroaches, grasshoppers, crickets, etc. PLAY. The grasshopper has mandibulate mouthparts that are directed downward for biting and chewing the leaves of a host plant. The other examples include grasshopper, dragonfly and beetle. Dragonfly naiads (immatures) are underwater predators that feed on a variety of small aquatic prey. The top diagram represents the head of a typical grasshopper. Published: Mar 1, 1966 For example, mosquitoes (which are flies) and aphids(which are bugs) both pierce and suck; however, female mosquitoes feed on animal blood whereas aphids feed on plant fluids. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of Grasshopper head and mouthparts. In dragonfly naiads (immatures), the labium has become adapted as a prehensile tool that can be rapidly extended forward to catch prey. answer! Basically all types of mouthparts are evolved from the chewing type. … The mandible has two condyles (dicondylic), the maxilla only one, and the labium one on each side. Butterflies and flies have mouthparts that have a channel for fluids to travel from the liquid source to the head for ingestion, Lehnert said. Viridissima Insect. butterfly larvae). 116 80 40. But regardless of how they work, they are still constructed from the same five building blocks found in mandibulate mouthparts:  labrum, mandibles, maxillae, hypopharynx, and labium. Grasshopper Insect. Each species has its own characteristic song. These are known as “mandibulate” mouthparts because they feature prominent chewing mandibles. Maxilla. Spell. A grasshopper is a familiar insect that belongs to order Orthoptera, which also includes crickets and locusts. Deutsch: Mundwerkzeuge bei Insekten. In weevils, for example, the front of the head is elongated into a long, slender proboscis. Source: John R. Meyer, North Carolina State University. Journal. Grasshoppers feed on plants. They can devour grasses and similar plant life quite rapidly. Legend: a, antennae; c, compound eye; lb, labium; lr, labrum; md, mandibles; mx, maxillae. Grasshoppers are mainly herbivores, feeding on... Our experts can answer your tough homework and study questions. Over many eons of time, tissues and appendages near the mouth opening came to be adapted for gathering and manipulating bits of … Piercing/sucking Mouthparts - called a Proboscis A large group of insects, such as mosquitoes, stink bugs and cicadas have mouthparts like tubes that pierce into their food source and suck up the juices. Match. Most long-horned grasshoppers spend the winter in the egg stage. Prominent on the outside of the capsule are a pair of antennae, two large compound eyes, and the downward directed mouthparts. The mouthparts of arthropods have evolved into a number of forms, each adapted to a different style or mode of feeding. This is the mouth you see on grasshoppers, beetles, and dragonflies. Grasshopper Facts Diet Habitat Information . Write. The mandibles in an orthopteroid insect are paired and well-developed structures that lie immediately behind the labrum. They have strong chewing mouth parts along with voracious appetites. The mouthpartsof arthropodshave evolvedinto a number of forms, each adaptedto a different style or mode of feeding. English: The development of insect mouthparts from the primitive chewing mouthparts of a grasshopper in the centre (A), to the lapping type (B) of honey bee, the siphoning type (C) of butterfly und the sucking type (D) of female mosquito. Adult length is 1 to 7 cm, depending on the species. The head of the grasshopper is a hard capsule that contains large muscles, which operate the chewing mouthparts, and the brain and subesophageal ganglion, which serve as the main centers of the nervous system. Insect Grasshopper Bug. They can chew, suck, pierce, lap, and sponge-up their food. Spiracles – a series of holes located along both sides of the abdomen; they are used for breathing. The mandibles and labium are of unusual form and the possible significance of this is discussed. Their function is to help keep food in the mouth. The mouthparts of Xenocheíla zarudnyí Uvarov, a grasshopper from Iran, are described, including the distribution of sensilla. As insects evolved to feed on a wider variety of food resources, their mouthparts adapted accordingly through natural selection. How many digestive glands does a grasshopper... What does an exoskeleton do for a grasshopper? All insects have mouthparts that are adapted for the type of food they eat. The hypopharynx is a simple, fleshy lobe. The labrum is suspended from the clypeus and form the upper lip. The labium’s large paraglossae and smaller paraglossae cover and protect the underside of the mouthparts. A pair of maxillary palps (long in males and short in females) arise near the base of the proboscis.