A morphological comparison of two Canadian populations of the pink striped oakworm (Anisota virginiensis Drury) (LEPIDOPTERA: SATURNIIDAE)

Abstract

This thesis involves a morphological and physiological comparison of two Canadian populations (Manitoba and Nova Scotia), and several USA populations of adult pink-striped oakworm (Anisota virginiensis) moths. It was hypothesized that there would be no significant differences in morphological characteristics of these adult moths (i.e., body length, wingspan, and colouration). Adult moth body lengths and wingspans were measured. By using a series of t-tests none of the populations were deemed to be significantly different. However there appears to be a modest trend towards smaller adult moths from northern and western parts of the range of this moth. Additionally, adult wing colouration was quite different amongst populations. Further research using mDNA procedures may indicate that certain populations of the pink-striped oakworm are new species.