Desert locusts () feed with self-sharpening, scissor-like mandibles.

The mandibles of the desert locust (Forsskål, 1775) are digger-shovel-shaped mouthparts that are part of the locust's exoskeleton formed by the insect cuticle. The cuticle is a polymer-fibre composite, which supports, encases and protects the entire body. Mandibles experience heavy loading and wear due to direct contact with hard and abrasive food, just like teeth, their mineralized analogues in vertebrates.

RAB7 GTPases as coordinators of plant endomembrane traffic.

The ras gene from rat brain (RAB) family of small GTPases is highly conserved among eukaryotes and regulates endomembrane trafficking pathways. RAB7, in particular, has been linked to various processes involved in regulating endocytic and autophagic pathways. Plants have several copies of RAB7 proteins that reflect the intricacy of their endomembrane transport systems.

Terebra steering in chalcidoid wasps.

Various chalcidoid wasps can actively steer their terebra (= ovipositor shaft) in diverse directions, despite the lack of terebral intrinsic musculature. To investigate the mechanisms of these bending and rotational movements, we combined microscopical and microtomographical techniques, together with videography, to analyse the musculoskeletal ovipositor system of the ectoparasitoid pteromalid wasp Lariophagus distinguendus (Förster, 1841) and the employment of its terebra during oviposition. The ovipositor consists of three pairs of valvulae, two pairs of valvifers and the female T9 (9th abdominal tergum).

Morphology of the abdominal segmental glands and spinning behaviour of Stenus larvae (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae).

We focus on the morphology of the "segmental glands" and their openings in third instar Stenus larvae. The location of the openings was similar in both studied species, with paired rosette-like structures present on the head, all thoracic segments and abdominal segments 1-9. No such openings could be found on the antennae, the maxillary palps, the urogomphi, and the legs as suggested in some older publications.

Mouthpart Ecomorphology and Predatory Behaviour in Selected Rove Beetles of the "Staphylinine Group" (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylininae, Paederinae).

The representatives of the megadiverse rove beetle subfamilies Paederinae and Staphylininae (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) are considered generalist predators, although their exact prey-capture behaviour and performance and possible links to mouthpart morphology have rarely been described. Here, we examine these relationships for selected species by SEM analyses of mouthparts and front legs and highspeed videography of prey-capture behaviour. We describe the observed behaviours and structural properties and quantify relationships between prey type, mouthpart morphology, and predatory performance based on morphometric measurements of both the shape and lever properties of the mandible.