Entomology is the scientific study of insects.

Why is it useful for scientists to study insect mouthparts?

Insect mouthparts can provide clues about how an insect evolved, what it feeds on, and which order it belongs to.

Describe the function of mandibles in insects with chewing mouthparts.

Mandibles are jaws with toothed inner edges used to cut up and crush solid foods.

Hymenoptera, Orthoptera, Odonata, or Coleoptera

I can define entomology and describe the importance of studying insects.

1
Scientists can learn about an unfamiliar insect by examining its mouthparts, which can help determine its order, evolution, and feeding habits.
2
The five common types of insect mouthparts are chewing, piercing-sucking, siphoning, sponging, and chewing-lapping.
3
Insects in the order Lepidoptera, such as butterflies and moths, have siphoning mouthparts with a long, tube-like proboscis to suck nectar from flowers.