Preliminary phylogenetic analysis of North American Exaeretia (Gelechioidea; Elachistidae; Depressariinae)

Phylogenetics of Gelechioidea remains poorly understood, especially within the family Elachistidae. This study focuses on the systematics of Exaeretia, a genus within the Depressariinae. While Depressaria is well-known for their ability to digest toxic secondary plant metabolites, other genera, such as Agonopterix and Exaeretia, have not been detailed but have been recorded as feeding on non-toxic host plants. These genera are significant to study for they may well represent a basal feeding condition within the Depressariinae. The object of my thesis research is to generate a phylogeny that describes the relationships of species within Exaeretia that is based on external morphological features and then use this information to make inferences regarding the evolution of host plant preference for this genus.