Lepidoptera research
The hummingbird hawkmoth, Macroglossum stellatarum.
Lepidoptera are a large and often beautiful group of insects that comprise the butterflies and moths. There are over 157,000 known species across the world, with the highest concentration in the tropics.
We are focusing our research on the taxonomy, phylogeny, zoogeography and evolution of:
- snout moths (subfamily Phycitinae)
- swift moths (Hepialoidea)
- hawkmoths (Sphingidae)
- cutworm moths (Noctuoidea)
We are also developing digital 3D image software to study the small-scale structure (morphology) of these insects.
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Evolution of Phycitinae
With over 5000 described species, Phycitinae is the largest subfamily within Pyralidae, or snout moths.
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Evolution of Hepialoidea
The superfamily Hepialoidea or swift moths, have a number of intriguing morphological, ecological and behavioural features.
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Sphingidae research
Our hawkmoth research aims to develop our understanding of this attractive family.
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Noctuoid Moths
Learn how Museum staff are resolving the classification of this large superfamily.
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3D imaging
Microtomography uses X-rays to create a detailed 3D image of a specimen without destroying it.
