The contribution of morphology to a phylogenetic analysis of Crambidia (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Arctiinae): a preliminary investigation

The lichen-feeding moth genus Lycomorpha is currently composed of eleven species. The goals of this study are to identify morphological characters that are phylogenetically informative for generating a phylogeny of Lycomorpha species, as well as to examine patterns of character evolution in this genus. Specific questions to be addressed include determining: 1) the level of homoplasy present in morphological characters under sexual selection versus characters not thought to be affected by sexual selection and 2) whether any of the morphological characters appear to be correlated. This analysis should prove useful in identifying morphological characters of diagnostic utility as well as interesting patterns of character evolution.