# The Right Tool for the Job: A Review of Insect Mouthparts as a Tool Kit for Biomimetic Studies

## TL;DR

This paper reviews how insect mouthparts inspire biomimetic designs due to their diverse structure-function relationships.

## Contribution

The paper identifies insect mouthpart themes and lineages relevant to biomimetics, suggesting future research directions.

## Key findings

- Insect mouthparts show diverse morphological adaptations for feeding.
- Biomimetic studies use these mouthparts to develop novel engineered devices.
- Themes in insect lineages and feeding strategies are highlighted for future research.

## Abstract

Few traits exhibit a more diverse collection of exemplary structure–function relationships than the mouthparts of insects. The global dominance of insects is attributed to their diverse food sources, which are matched by an array of morphological and chemical adaptations: a ‘tool kit’ for biomimicry. This review provides an overview of insect mouthparts that have contributed to biomimetics, including information about morphology and functionality in relation to particular feeding mechanisms. Themes in the groups of insects employed for particular biomimetic studies, including their lineages and feeding strategies, are identified along with suggestions for future studies, which together underscore the importance and promise of the development of novel engineered devices inspired by the unique ‘tools’ of insect mouthparts.