Third stage larvae of seven species of Cheilosia are described. The morphology of each species is analysed in relation to feeding mode. A variety of features are identified that appear to be uniquely related to fungal-feeding, leaf-mining, stem/root tunnelling and sap/cambium feeding. An important factor influencing larval morphology appears to be the solidity of the food. A relationship between morphology and feeding mode should be useful in analysing the larval stages of other Cheilosia species, the majority of which are unknown.
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Graham E. Rotheray (1990) studied this question.
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