Head shape variation in cerambycid saproxylic beetles as a function of host plant selection

Saproxylic insects depend on deadwood for larval development, and a certain degree of specialization may be involved in their choice of host plants and/or wood in a particular stage of degradation. The plant species chosen for oviposition in turn act as an environmental pressure on the head morphology of larvae and it is expected that head shape plasticity varies directly with the number of woody plant species used for larval development in each insect species. We analyzed head shape variation in saproxylic beetles with respect to host plant species, maximum time of larval emergence and season of the year when insects colonized branches. Generalist species in the use of host plants showed significant variation in head shape and size. Time of emergence and season did not appear to affect head shape, although season was a determinant factor of abundance and possibly head size variation. •A geometric morphometric protocol is proposed to study head shape in cerambycids.•Species using more host plant species showed the highest shape and size variation.•Wood characteristics of the branches used by insects seem to determine head shape variation.