The Insect Head

The Insect Head

 The surface of the head is divided into regions
(sclerites) by a pattern of shallow grooves (sutures).
 Composed of 6 segments – Closely jointed to form hard
capsule – Cranium (Except appendages)
1. Frons (face of insect) formed by frontal sutures between
eyes and compound eyes
Facial surface of head (mostly in immature stages) is
divided by coronoal sutures and frontal sutures to formed
an inverted-Y, known as ecdysial cleavage line from
where shedding of skin starts.
2. Clypeus – Below the frons separated by epistomal
suture
3. Gena (pl. genae - Cheeks) – below vertex and
compound eyes
4. Labrum– an unpaired sclerite, moveably articulated with
clypeus through clypeolabral suture.
5. Occiput – posterior region of head between Vertex and
Neck
6. Vertex – uppermost sclerite (dorsal surface) of the head
capsule –Carries of eyes and antennae
 Clypeus and occiput together are called as Epicranium
 Frons and Gena are separated by Fronto-genal sulcus
 Frons and Clypeus are separated by Fronto-clypeal
sulcus
 Head connected to Thorax via Neck (Cervix)
 Small cervical sclerites serve as points of attachment
for muscles that control head movements.
 Endoskeleton of Head is called Tentorium (ingrowths of
cuticle) – help in reinforcing the head capsule, cradles
the brain, and provides a rigid origin for muscles of the
mandibles and other mouthparts
 Types of Insect Heads
3 basic types Prognathous

?
?
Hypognathous

Opisthorhynchous
 Types of Insect Heads
1. Hypognathous: Head axis is vertical and perpendicular
to the body, mouthparts directed downwards. Eg. Hoppers,
cockroaches
2. Prognathous: Head axis is horizontal and in line with
body, mouthparts directed forward. Eg. Stick insects, lady
bird beetles
3. Opisthorhynchous: Head axis is horizontal and in line
with body, mouthparts directed backwards. Eg. Homoptera
(aphids, sucking insects)