How do some caterpillars become carnivores?

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

11:18 AM – 11:30 AM MST

Location: Phoenix Convention Center, 131 A, PCC

Presenting Author(s)

DR

Daniel Rubinoff

Professor
University of Hawaii
Honolulu, Hawaii

Co-Author(s)

mS

michael San Jose

University of Hawaii
Honolulu, Hawaii
CD

Camiel Doorenweerd

University of Hawaii
Honolulu, Hawaii
SG

Scott M. Geib (he/him/his)

Research Entomologist
USDA-ARS
Hilo, Hawaii

Lepidopteran larvae are overwhelmingly vegetarians, with fewer than .13% being carnivorous. In the Hawaiian Fancy Case Caterpillars (Hyposmocoma), there are multiple carnivorous species, and more than one lineage. One carnivorous lineage contains over 20 species across all the high islands. The other lineage, CSI, is represented by a single species found on a single mountain range on the island of Oahu. It has bizarre habits, even by Hyposmocoma standards, including the collection of body parts on its larval case, and a habit of lurking around spider webs parasitizing the kills. By comparing genomic data for CSI and various carnivorous and vegetarian species under a phylogenetic framework, we explore how a carnivore might evolve from vegetarian ancestors.