mandibular gland

mandibular gland: (Arthropoda: Insecta) A sac-like reservoir usually paired, and partially or completely lined by secretory cells, opening in the mesal junction of the mandible with the head; functioning as alarm pheromone, fungistatic agent, aggregation pheromone, sex pheromone, territory defending secretion, location of food and/or the 'burning' secretion of the 'fire bees'; in larval Lepidoptera, large and secrete saliva (with the normal salivary glands specialized for silk production).