Mandible (insect mouthpart)

The specific derived morphology of the teeth on the mandible varies depending on whether the insect eats broad-leafed herbs or grasses.

[citation needed] This same simple structure is seen in all of the remaining Polyneopteran insect orders, with the exception of the Paraneoptera (Hemiptera, Thysanoptera, and Phthiraptera).

Rather than being tooth-like, the mandibles of such insects are lengthened into stylets, which form the outer two parts of the feeding tube, or beak.

Ground beetles (family Carabidae) of the tribe Cychrini have long mandibles that project far in front of them, which aid them in feeding on snails inside their shells.

The mandibles are used to clip pieces of vegetation, gather wood fibers, dig nests, or to capture and disassemble prey.

Trigona corvina, and other stingless bees, utilize their mandibles for defense purposes and typically interlock them with other individuals while fighting for resources.