Dissertation Research: Phylogeny and the Evolution of Host Use and Host Specialization in the Endophagous Moth Genus Papaipema (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

瓦格纳9423516这个项目将研究北美最大的本土蛾类之一Papaipema属(鳞翅目：夜蛾科)物种之间的关系。Papaipema在北美飞蛾大属中是独一无二的，它既包含广泛的农业害虫物种，也包含高度专业化的物种(大多数)，这些物种只吃一种或几种植物，出现在非常有限的地理区域，或者两者兼而有之。虽然相对于其他大的蛾属，Papaipema种的形态、分类和生活史已被很好地了解，但还没有人试图重建该属各物种之间的系统发育或地址关系。这个项目将利用分子DNA序列数据来构建分支图或关系的系统发育模式。一旦不同物种之间的关系得到尽可能多的解决，分支图将被用来检验关于多面手/害虫/暴发生活方式的假说，反之，在特定寄主植物上的极端专门化。具体地说，将被问到以下问题：专业化是先于更普遍的“有害生物”习惯，还是相反？在多大程度上可以用植物中化学成分的相似性与植物本身或它们所处的栖息地之间的关系来解释这组植物的使用性质？%这个项目将有助于我们对这组北美飞蛾的生物多样性的基本知识。它还将提供有关昆虫如何形成寄主植物协会和害虫物种如何起源的重要信息。这些知识为制定控制农业、森林和苗圃作物病虫害的战略提供了希望。***

WAGNER 9423516 This project will examine the relationships among species for one of North America's largest native groups of moths, the genus Papaipema (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Papaipema is unique among large genera of North American moths in containing both widespread agricultural pest species and highly specialized species (the majority) that feed on only one or a few plants, occur in a very restricted geographical area, or both. Although the morphology, taxonomy, and life history of Papaipema species are well-understood relative to other large moth genera, no one has yet attempted to reconstruct the phylogeny or address relationships among the species in this genus. This project will utilize molecular DNA sequence data to construct a cladogram or phylogenetic pattern of relationships. Once the relationships among the various species have been resolved as much as possible, the cladogram will be used to test hypotheses concerning the generalist/pest/outbreak life style and its converse, extreme specialization on particular host plants. Specifically, the following questions will be asked: Did specialization precede the more generalized "pest" habit or vice versa? To what degree can the nature of plant use in this group be explained by similarities in chemical compounds occurring in the plants versus the relationships among the plants themselves or the habitats in which they occur? %%% This project will contribute to our basic knowledge of biodiversity in this group of North American moths. It will also contribute important information about how insects form host plant associations and how pest species originate. This knowledge holds promise for developing strategies for controlling agricultural, forest and nursery crop pests. ***