Dissertation Research: Evolution of Wasp Mimicry in Tiger Moths

小行星9701001 虎蛾以其鲜艳的成虫和毛熊幼虫而闻名。这些飞蛾也有迷人的生活史特征，如与有毒寄主植物的复杂联系，黄蜂和其他昆虫的极端模仿，以及涉及气味和声音的精心求偶序列。 如果科学家要了解这些特征是何时、如何以及为什么出现的，那么了解虎蛾的系统发育历史至关重要。 然而，对于许多蛾类的类群，系统发育史并不清楚，或知之甚少。 在这项研究中，Susan Weller和博士生Rebecca Simmons将研究一组称为Myrmecopsis组（Euchromiinae）的虎蛾中黄蜂拟态和雄性气味结构的系统发育史。 该集团的生殖系统将重建从内部形态特征不与模仿和求偶。将通过检查从主要馆藏的博物馆借来的标本来收集数据。一旦确定了这一群体的进化史，模仿和求偶结构的历史将在这个框架上被追溯。这项研究应该产生的信息，导致了解如何，何时以及为什么复杂的行为出现在不同的动物群体。

9701001 WELLER Tiger moths are known for their brightly colored adults and woolly bear larvae. These moths also have fascinating life history traits such as complex associations with toxic hostplants, extreme mimicry of wasps and other insects, and elaborate courtship sequences involving both scent and sound. An understanding of the phylogenetic history of tiger moths is critical if scientists are to understand when, how and why these traits appeared. For many groups of moths, however, phylogenetic histories are not, or are poorly, understood. In this research, Susan Weller and doctoral candidate Rebecca Simmons will investigate the phylogenetic history of wasp mimicry and male scent structures in a group of tiger moths called the Myrmecopsis group (Euchromiinae). The phylogeny of the group will be reconstructed from internal morphological characters not associated with mimicry and courtship. Data will be gathered by examining specimens borrowed from museums with major holdings. Once the phylogeny of this group is determined, the history of mimicry and courtship structures will be traced on this framework. This study should yield information leading to an understanding of how, when and why complex behaviors appeared in various groups of animals.