Mouthparts of flower-visiting insects

This review deals with the morphology and function of adult insect mouthparts modified to feed on nectar, pollen or petals. Specialization to nectar-feeding is evident in formation of proboscides of various lengths and designs. Proboscides of many Hymenoptera and Diptera function according to adhesion mechanisms that load nectar onto extensible apical mouthpart regions before fluid is conveyed along the food canal to the mouth by capillarity and...