Molecular Systematics and the Evolution of Host Plant Associations and Diapause Shifts in the Apameini (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

菲尔德自然历史博物馆（Field Museum of natural History）的保罗·z·戈尔茨坦（Paul Z. Goldstein）博士获得了一笔拨款，用于研究北美和欧洲的夜蛾或小飞蛾部落Apameini物种之间的关系，以及它们与不同植物之间关系的演变。利用DNA序列数据，该项目旨在解决apameine物种之间的关系，并测试围绕宿主植物关联和毛虫行为在部落中的进化的想法。特别关注的是所谓的蛀虫特有的内部摄食（自噬）习惯，以及这种行为和相关行为可能在多大程度上调节被蚜虫毛虫攻击的寄主植物的广度。夜蛾有超过45000种已被描述的物种和无数未被发现的形式，构成了所有蝴蝶和飞蛾中最多样化的家族，几乎占鳞翅目的三分之一。夜蛾是陆地生态系统的重要组成部分：它们是鸟类、蝙蝠和其他脊椎动物的主要猎物；经济上重要的农业害虫；也是科学探索的重要对象。夜蛾毛虫还进化出了以各种各样的植物和真菌为食的能力，并进化出了各种各样的新行为，使它们能够专门针对不同的宿主。不幸的是，夜蛾主要种群之间的关系尚不清楚，因此尚不可能探索其摄食行为的进化，包括害虫物种的行为。组成这个项目重点的蛾子群似乎是理解主要夜蛾群体之间关系的关键。因为它们与多种重要的农业害虫有关，了解这一群体的摄食模式的起源有助于我们理解害虫和暴发物种是如何产生的。此外，它们与许多草的联系使它们与我们对草为主的生态系统的理解有关。

A grant has been awarded to Dr. Paul Z. Goldstein of the Field Museum ofNatural History to study the relationships among species in the Apameini, a tribe of North American and European noctuids or owlet moths, and the evolution of their associations with different plants. Using DNA sequence data this project aims to resolve relationships among apameine species and test ideas surrounding the evolution of host plant associations and caterpillar behaviors in the tribe. A particular focus is on the unique habit of internal feeding (endophagy) that characterizes the so-called borers, and the extent to which this and related behaviors may mediate the breadth of host plants attacked by apameine caterpillars.With over 45,000 described species and untold numbers of undiscovered forms, noctuid moths make up the most diverse family among all the butterflies and moths, and nearly a third of the order Lepidoptera. Noctuids are important components of terrestrial ecosystems: They include primary prey items for birds, bats, and other vertebrates; economically important agricultural pests; and important objects of scientific exploration. Noctuid caterpillars have also evolved to feed upon a tremendous variety of plants and fungi, and have evolved a variety of novel behaviors that enabled them to specialize on different hosts. Unfortunately, relationships among the major groups of noctuids are poorly known, and it is not yet possible to explore the evolution of feeding behaviors, including the behavior of pest species. The group of moths that makes up the focus of this project appears to be a lynchpin for understanding the relationships among major noctuid groups. Because they are related to a variety of important agricultural pests, understanding the origins of feeding modes in this group bears on our understanding of how pests and outbreak species arise. Moreover, their associations with numerous grasses makes them relevant to our understanding of grass-dominated ecosystems.