Dietary amino acids are key determinants of lifespan and fecundity. Flies achieve a balanced intake of amino acids under diverse physiological conditions by developing a protein-specific appetite. The Drosophila feeding motor program comprises behavioral modules (feeding bursts and activity bouts) which are tightly regulated by the nutrient state of the fly. Here, we aim to understand the neural-circuit mechanisms underlying physiological state-specific regulation of Drosophila feeding microstructure by dissecting sensorimotor pathways controlling feeding motor programs. First, we show that different sensory neuron populations control frequency and duration of feeding bursts suggesting that distinct sensorimotor pathways regulate these parameters. We combined connectomics, high-resolution behavioral analysis, neurogenetic manipulations and functional imaging to map neurons downstream of a set of gustatory receptor neurons (taste peg GRNs) that are important for sustaining feeding on proteinaceous food. Our approach revealed the identity of a group of interneurons (Sustain neurons) that specifically regulate the duration of feeding bursts in a protein feeding-specific way. We further showed that Sustain neurons control the feeding motor neurons that control ingestion, but not proboscis extension. Our study demonstrates how low level motor actions are controlled by distinct sensorimotor pathways to orchestrate the higher-order feeding microstructure based on the physiological needs of the animal. These two parts are currently not connected and look separate. Maybe you can say that the feeding microstructure is adapted to achieve homeostasis?