How to make a wasp: Characterizing wasp-like traits of tiger moths

Certain tiger moths (Erebidae: Arctiinae) mimic wasps to avoid predation. These moths primarily achieve this illusion with modifications to shape and/or scale morphology. While the physical characteristics of moth scales are well-studied, the evolutionary trajectories moths have taken to develop wasp mimicry is unclear. We focus on the functional morphology of the wings, which can exhibit iridescent and/or transparent patches to accomplish their mimetic illusion. We analyzed morphometric and phenotypic character data for over 130 species to understand the evolutionary origins of transparent and iridescent wings. Traits characterized include their surface area, scale morphology, membrane transparency, and pigmentation of scales and membrane. Preliminary computer vision models suggest non-homologous morphological evolution of a diversity of wasp morphotypes. Using evolutionary relationships between species, we plan to examine how frequently wasp mimicry has evolved. Future studies will investigate how the evolution of mimicry has progressed and factors that may have influenced the gain or loss of characteristic traits in different lineages.