Rebecca Simmons Contact
Dr. Rebecca Simmons: rebecca.simmons@und.nodak.edu
Associate Professor of Biology
B.S. 1992, Bridgewater College
M.S. 1995, Wake Forest University
Ph.D. 2001, University of Minnesota
Lepidopteran (Noctuidae) Systematics
Evolution of Mimetic and Courtship Behaviors
DNA Identification of Pest Moths
Post-doctoral Research Associate
Systematic Entomology Laboratory, USDA
& Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History
CV
Simmons Lab Page
I am interested in the collection of biological data from multiple sources to reconstruct the evolutionary history of animals. I then apply this evolutionary information to other biological fields, such as behavioral studies, conservation and management. My research program currently has two main focus areas within moths (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): the evolution of defensive and courtship behaviors in tiger moths (Arctiinae) and the identification and evolutionary history of Neotropical cutworms (Noctuinae).
A portion of my work focuses on one lineage of tiger moths that are mimics of wasps, poisonous beetles, and other noxious insects (Arctiinae). In addition to their resemblance to undesirable insects, these moths have highly specialized mimetic behaviors, such as buzzing and pseudostinging. I am examining the evolutionary history of these moths (phylogenetic relationships) of these moths to understand the origin and elaboration of mimetic traits. To reconstruct their phylogeny, I use both traditional structural data (morphology) and molecular data (mitochondrial and nuclear DNA). With these data, I am able to reconstruct the phylogenetic history of the mimetic tiger moths to examine how often a mimetic type has evolved, or the origin of other interesting life history characteristics such as the evolution of courtship cues. This information is not only useful to my own future research, but also aids the work of other researchers in other fields, such as ecology and behavior
The second area of my research involves the Neotropical cutworms (Noctuinae). These cutworms are agricultural pests, and are among the most species rich within the Lepidoptera. Unfortunately, because of their incredible diversity, these moths are difficult to characterize and identify. With a total evidence approach, I am linking traditional morphological characters to DNA characters. The goal of this research is to advance the state of knowledge within these difficult moths, and to create identification tools that can be easily used by nonspecialist workers at U.S. ports of entry. Recently, Dr. Robert Venette (U. S. Department of Agriculture, National Forest Service) and I received funding to explore the risks that these moths pose to U. S. agriculture and DNA based identification tools to aid in interception and control of these pests.
Publications (* = undergraduate student co-author)
2006. Simmons, R. B. A revision of Psoloptera Butler, including a re-description of its species (Arctiidae: Arctiinae: Euchromiini). Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society 60: 121-125.
2006. Simmons, R. B. and S. J. Weller. Review of the Sphecosoma genus group using adult morphology (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae). Thomas Say Monograph Series , 108 pp., 108 figs.
2004. Simmons, R. B. and M. G. Pogue. Redescription of two often confused noctuid pests, Copitarsia decolora (Guenée) and C. incommoda (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Cuculliinae). Annals of Ent. Soc. Amer. 97: 1159-1164. PDF
2004. Simmons, R. B. and S. J. Scheffer. Evidence of cryptic species within the pest Copitarsia decolora (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Annals of Ent. Soc. Amer. 97: 675-680. PDF
2004. Simmons, R. B. Description of Sphecosoma pattiannae Simmons, a new euchromiine species, with comments on novel male androconia (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae: Arctiinae: Euchromiini). Zootaxa 519: 1-12. PDF
2004. Weller, S.J., R. B. Simmons, and A. Carlson*. Empyreuma species and species limits: Evidence from morphology and molecules (Arctiidae: Arctiinae: Ctenuchini). Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society 58: 21-32.
2002. Simmons, R. B. and S. J. Weller. What kind of signals do mimetic tiger moths send? A phylogenetic test in tiger moths (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae: Euchromiini). Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, series B 269: 983-990.
2001. Simmons, R.B. and S. J. Weller. Preliminary phylogeny of mimetic tiger moths (Lepidoptera) and evolution of cyt b in Insecta. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 20: 196-210.
2000. Weller, S. J., R. B. Simmons, R. Boada, and W. E. Conner. Abdominal modifications occurring in wasp mimics of the ctenuchine-euchromiine clade. Annals of Ent. Soc. Amer. 93(4): 920-928.
1998. Simmons, R. B., W. E. Conner, and R. B. Davidson. Identification of major components of the female pheromone blend of Euchaetes egle Drury (Arctiidae). Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society 52(4): 356-363.
1996. Simmons, R. B. and W. E. Conner. Acoustic cues in the defense and courtship of Euchaetes egle Drury and E. bolteri Stretch (Lepidoptera, Arctiidae). Journal of Insect Behavior 9: 909-919.
Links
Advising
Copitarsia project page
Species pages
Biology
Department, UND
Biology Department
Graduate Programs
Contact Dr. Rebecca Simmons: rebecca.simmons@und.nodak.edu |
