Location: Systematic Entomology Laboratory
Title: Meet Lepidopterist Alma SolisAuthor
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Submitted to: Electronic Publication
Publication Type: Other Publication Acceptance Date: 3/15/2021 Publication Date: 3/15/2021 Citation: Solis, M.A. 2021. Meet Lepidopterist Alma Solis. Electronic Publication. www.https://biodiversity.utexas.edu/news/entry/meet-lepidopterist-alma-solis. Interpretive Summary: N/A Technical Abstract: Alma Solis is an alumnus of the University of Texas at Austin. Her study of moth biodiversity began with her Master’s research at a cloud forest in northeastern Mexico. She worked on leaf mining moths on three tree species, hickory, maple, and sweetgum, and compared them to those feeding on same species of trees in northeastern United States. Moths are important because every life stage provides food for other organisms, such as birds, bats, reptiles, and other arthropods, and therefore are significant organisms in ecological webs. Moth caterpillars are successful as pests of crops that humans eat, like corn or wheat. The larvae in the group that I currently study are also pests of stored food in people’s homes, such as flour, or seeds, such as nuts, in pantries. Moths can be seen when you leave your porch light on at night to attract the adults, and larvae can be seen if hosts are planted in yards or pots. |
