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<p>Larvae of the sawfly genus <i>Dolerus</i> are herbivorous, feeding on different species of graminoids. The larvae are notable for their asymmetrical labrum, an atypical trait among Hymenoptera, yet the associated feeding mechanism remains unclear. The wheat-preferring <i>Dolerus tritici</i> Chu provides key insights into this behavior. In this study, we investigated the feeding behavior and mouthpart ultrastructure of <i>D. tritici</i> larvae through field observations and scanning electron microscopy. For the first time, we identified the ultrastructural basis underlying their feeding mechanism. The key evidence came from distinct wear patterns, which indicated that three pairs of slanted cutting points were involved in leaf incision, while the maxillary and labial palps are responsible for positioning the leaf during this process. Ultramorphological evidence, including a notch in the left side of the labrum, mesally protruding incisors and molars on the left mandible, and mechanoreceptors on the penultimate maxillary palps, suggests a coordinated specialization of the larval feeding apparatus for feeding on plants with parallel-veined leaves. We propose that this tilted-head strategy represents an adaptation to feeding on straight, parallel-veined leaves.</p>

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The tilted-head feeding strategy: ultramorphological adaptations of the mature larvae of Dolerus tritici (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) to feeding on their host plants

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月23日

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  • Tian-Yu Yu,
  • Ping Guan,
  • Hao Zhang,
  • Lu Jiang

摘要

Larvae of the sawfly genus Dolerus are herbivorous, feeding on different species of graminoids. The larvae are notable for their asymmetrical labrum, an atypical trait among Hymenoptera, yet the associated feeding mechanism remains unclear. The wheat-preferring Dolerus tritici Chu provides key insights into this behavior. In this study, we investigated the feeding behavior and mouthpart ultrastructure of D. tritici larvae through field observations and scanning electron microscopy. For the first time, we identified the ultrastructural basis underlying their feeding mechanism. The key evidence came from distinct wear patterns, which indicated that three pairs of slanted cutting points were involved in leaf incision, while the maxillary and labial palps are responsible for positioning the leaf during this process. Ultramorphological evidence, including a notch in the left side of the labrum, mesally protruding incisors and molars on the left mandible, and mechanoreceptors on the penultimate maxillary palps, suggests a coordinated specialization of the larval feeding apparatus for feeding on plants with parallel-veined leaves. We propose that this tilted-head strategy represents an adaptation to feeding on straight, parallel-veined leaves.