Morphology of the Labial Gland System of the Mature Larva of the Black Carpenter Ant, Camponotus pennsylvanicus (DeGeer)

The morphology of the labial gland system of mature larvae of Camponotus pennsylvanicus is described. Regions of the labial gland system (gland tubes, reservoirs, thin and thick portions of the paired ducts, and common duct) were examined with electron microscopy, and a comparison of organelle and cell morphology was made. The gland tubes secrete silk which is stored in the reservoirs. The final water and/ or ion content of the secretion may be modified by the paired ducts and common duct