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Comment
. 2023 Jul 24;33(14):R762-R764.
doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.06.050.

Insect physiology: The mouthparts of moths and butterflies breathe through strategically positioned micropores

Julián F Hillyer  1
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Insect physiology: The mouthparts of moths and butterflies breathe through strategically positioned micropores

Julián F Hillyer. Curr Biol. .
Free article

Abstract

Insects employ a tracheal system to transport oxygen and carbon dioxide to and from the body's cells. A new study discovers a micropore-based mechanism of respiration in the coiling mouthparts of moths and butterflies, which allowed these insects to evolve intricately long mouthparts without also evolving proportionally larger body sizes.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of interests The author declares no competing interests.

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