Which of the following mouthparts is used for feeding that involves contact with liquids?

The lapping mouthparts are specifically designed for feeding through contact with liquids, making them highly effective for certain types of insects, particularly those that feed on nectar or other liquid substances. This feeding mechanism involves a structure that allows the insect to lap up fluids, which is a quick and efficient way to consume liquid food.

Insects with lapping mouthparts, such as bees, have specialized adaptations that include a long, tubular tongue that can extend to reach flowers and take in nectar. This allows them to feed rapidly while minimizing the need to extract food mechanically, as would be the case with chewing mouthparts.

The other mouthparts mentioned serve different functions which do not involve the same liquid-feeding approach. Chewing mouthparts break down solid food, piercing mouthparts are used to puncture tissue to access fluids and can be associated with more complex feeding mechanisms, and sucking mouthparts are designed for extracting liquid but do not include the lapping action that characterizes the appropriate answer. Thus, lapping is uniquely suited for liquid feeding due to its specific structure and function.