Question

Insect glands responsible for lubrication of mouthparts are/is:

• A. Maxillary gland
• B. Pharyngeal gland
• C. Salivary gland
• D. Mandibular gland

Hint:

Be aware that different insect taxa may use varied glands for similar functions—maxillary glands are one such example.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

In some insects, the maxillary glands are involved in lubrication and secretion near the mouthparts. While salivary glands are more universally involved, in certain groups like larvae and lower insects, maxillary glands can serve this lubricating function.

Answer 2

Elimination of gland types:
Mandibular glands mostly secrete defensive or pheromonal substances in many insect groups, not lubrication fluid.
Pharyngeal glands, well known in honeybees, mainly produce royal jelly and digestive enzymes rather than a general mouthpart lubricant.
Salivary glands do moisten food and aid digestion, but the specific structures credited with lubricating the mouthparts themselves in the classification used here are the maxillary glands.
Ruling out the other three by their more specialised roles leaves Maxillary gland as the correct choice.