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

一项补助金已授予保罗·Z博士。研究阿帕美尼族（Apameini）物种间的关系，阿帕美尼族是北美和欧洲的一个蛾类或小鸮蛾族，以及它们与不同植物关系的演变。 利用DNA序列数据，该项目旨在解决猿类物种之间的关系，并测试围绕部落中宿主植物协会和毛虫行为进化的想法。 一个特别的重点是内部喂养的独特习惯（内食性）的特征，以及这种行为和相关行为在多大程度上可能介导了寄主植物被蚜虫毛虫攻击的范围。有超过45，000种已描述的物种和无数未发现的形式，蚜虫蛾构成了所有蝴蝶和蛾中最多样化的家族，以及近三分之一的鳞翅目昆虫 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;重要的经济农业害虫;重要的科学探索对象。 夜蛾毛虫也进化到以各种各样的植物和真菌为食，并进化出各种各样的新行为，使它们能够专门针对不同的宿主。 不幸的是，主要类群之间的关系知之甚少，而且还不可能探索取食行为的进化，包括害虫物种的行为。 构成这个项目重点的蛾类似乎是理解主要蛾类群体之间关系的关键。 由于它们与各种重要的农业害虫有关，因此了解这一群体中饲养模式的起源关系到我们对害虫和爆发物种如何产生的理解。 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.