Preliminary phylogenetic analysis of North American Agonopterix and Exaeretia (Gelechioidea: Elachistidae: Depressariinae)

Phylogenetics of Gelechioidea remains poorly understood, especially within the family Elachistidae. This study focuses on the systematics of Exaeretia and Agonopterix, two genera within Depressariinae. While Depressaria is well-known for the 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 research is to generate a phylogeny that describes the relationships of species within Exaeretia and Agonopterix that is based on external morphological features. Previous analyses suggest that the Agonopterix may have arisen from within Exaeretia. In order to fully address monophyly of Exaeretia, it is necessary to examine more thoroughly phylogenetics of the genus Agonopterix.