Mentum (insect)
Labium of the American cockroach ( Periplaneta americana ) with labeling of the individual parts
The mentum (lat. "Chin") is the basal, fused section of the lower lip ( labium ) of the insect and thus part of the mouthparts . It is usually attached to a submentum as an articulated connection to the head capsule and divides at the upper end into a two-part prementum , which can also be fused. It also carries the lip palpus (palpus labialis), which usually sits on the palpiger .
Like all other components of the mouthparts, the mentum can be designed very differently, depending on the type and group. In dragonfly larvae in particular , the mentum is greatly elongated and, together with the pre-mentum, forms the hinge of the trap mask .
supporting documents
- ↑ Mentum. In: Herder-Lexikon der Biologie. Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, Heidelberg 2003, ISBN 3-8274-0354-5 .
- ↑ a b Gerhard Seifert: Entomological internship. Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart 1975, ISBN 3-13-455002-4 , p. 267.