In this article we will discuss about the head and mouth parts of butterfly with the help of diagram.
Fig. 152 HEAD AND MOUTH PARTS OF BUTTERFLY
1. This is the slide of head and mouthparts of Butterfly.
2. The head bears a pair of large compound eyes and a pair of long jointed antennae.
3. The mouth parts are of siphoning type and are comprised of a basal transverse and rectangular labrum, a pair of reduced mandibles, a pair of maxillae (galeae) forming a long and coiled proboscis and paired labial and maxillary palps.
4. The proboscis is hollow internally and remains coiled under head when not in use. They only open up after receiving the food stimulus.
5. The maxillary palps and labium pre greatly reduced and degenerate and labial palps are well developed and jointed. The mandibles and hypo pharynx being absent.
6. The mouthparts are used for sucking nectar from flowers.