Host mediated speciation: elucidating patterns of diversification in the microlepidopteran genus Mompha.

Phytophagous insects account for much of earth’s metazoan diversity. Understanding how this diversity was created should be paramount as many of these species are under threat from anthropogenic activities. I set out to test if the diversity of a cryptic microlepidopteran group, Mompha, is driven by diversification of host lineages or geographic factors, which are shown to be two driving evolutionary forces in insect evolution. Mompha are small narrow-winged moths marked by small tufts on their forewings. There are approximately 40 species of Mompha found in North America with several undescribed taxa in collections and almost certainly undiscovered taxa as well. Mompha are internal feeders of stems, roots, leaves, fruits, and flowers and much of their diversity is associated with host plants within the evening primrose family (Onagraceae). Because Onagraceae is such a large family, my research focuses on Mompha associated with Oenothera Section Calylophus, which comprises 7 species (13 taxa) with a center of diversity in the southwestern United States. Section Calylophus provides a variety of feeding niches and overlapping ranges, allowing for the opportunity to determine if Mompha diversified with their hosts or geographic factors. Mompha individuals from 74 populations across the range of Oenothera section Calylophus were sequenced for cytochrome oxidase I (COI). Coalescent trees coded for feeding niches and superimposed onto a map will show clustering of genotypes as well as potential species delineations. My results will allow me to uncover the evolution of this cryptic group as well as identify potential undescribed species of Mompha.