DEPT OF ENTOMOLOGY SEMINAR | DR. AARON SMITH

Darkling beetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) are a morphologically and ecologically diverse worldwide radiation of over 20,000 described species, with many more still awaiting discovery. The family is commonly recognized based on a small number of well-known species; including Tribo/ium castaneum (a model organism), Tenebrio molitor (mealworms), and the Namib fog-basking beetle Onymacris unguicularis (a subject of bio-mimicry). However, members of the family span a wide range of ecological niches and habitats across the world. Despite their species richness and ubiquity, many fundamental questions in terms of their systematics, biogeography, and evolutionary ecology have yet to be addressed. Recent research from the Smith lab covering these topics will be presented.