Moth proboscis morphology material properties raw data

Insects have evolved unique structures that host a diversity of material
and mechanical properties, and the mouthparts (proboscis) of butterflies
and moths (Lepidoptera) are no exception. Here, we examined proboscis
morphology and material properties from several previously unstudied moth
lineages to determine if they relate to flower-visiting and
non-flower-visiting feeding habits. Scanning electron microscopy and 3D
imaging were used to study proboscis morphology and assess surface
roughness patterns on the galeal surface, respectively. Confocal laser
scanning microscopy was used to study patterns of cuticular
autofluorescence, which was quantified with color analysis software. We
found that moth proboscises display similar color and morphological
patterns in relation to these feeding habits as those previously described
for flower and non-flower-visiting butterflies. The distal region of
proboscises of non-flower visitors is brush-like for augmented capillarity
and exhibited blue autofluorescence, indicating the possible presence of
resilin and increased flexibility. Flower visitors have smoother
proboscises and show red autofluorescence, an indicator of high
sclerotization, which is adaptive for floral tube entry. We propose the
lepidopteran proboscis as a model structure for understanding how insects
have evolved a suite of morphological and material adaptations to overcome
the challenges of acquiring fluids from diverse sources.