Andrei Sourakov

Abstract Heparin and dextran sulfate were used to influence wing development in the Luna Moth and the Polyphemus Moth. The experiments led to alterations not only of wing patterns, but also of wing shapes in both species, albeit in different ways. Dextran sulfate led to contractions of the wing pattern elements that were expanded by heparin in the Polyphemus Moth.

Abstract Ghost moths are an unusual family of primitive moths (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae) known for their large body size and crepuscular adult activity. These moths represent an ancient lineage, frequently have soil dwelling larvae, and are adapted to high elevations, deserts, and other extreme environments. Despite being rather speciose with more than 700 species, there is a dearth of genomic resources for the family.

Abstract Butterflies are a diverse and charismatic insect group that are thought to have evolved with plants and dispersed throughout the world in response to key geological events. However, these hypotheses have not been extensively tested because a comprehensive phylogenetic framework and datasets for butterfly larval hosts and global distributions are lacking.