Every year, the Xerces Society gives out at least two DeWind Awards to students pursuing research into Lepidoptera conservation. Established by Bill DeWind in honor of his wife Joan, the DeWind Awards help support the next wave of butterfly and moth conservationists. This year, we are excited to announce the winners of two $10,000 awards: Lillian Hendrick and Lucy Guarnieri!
Lillian Hendrick
Hendrick is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Biology at the University of Florida, and is studying a group that is quite literally, easily overlooked: micromoths! Micromoths are moths that are very tiny, often under 10 millimeters in wingspan. However, not all micromoths are close relatives; several different families of moths have evolved to be “micro”. Hendrick is hoping to discover which species of micromoths live in different habitats, ranging from more rural to more urban.
To learn which species live where, they will collect micromoths from 9 different field sites, and compare their DNA in order to identify them. Hendrick will also use this opportunity to learn more about the lives of these moths. One question is about any potential changes in each species’ phenology: when in the year adult moths are out flying. They will also test for the presence of Wolbachia, a special bacteria that is found in many moths and butterflies (as well as some other bugs). Wolbachia often causes several (mainly negative) effects on reproduction of infected individuals.
Lucy Guarnieri
Guarnieri is a graduate student in the Department of Entomology at The Ohio State University, and is studying how cities can support more moth species. Guarnieri plans to compare which species live in different areas of central Ohio, to figure out how different habitat management strategies, and habitat sizes, affect moth diversity. To accomplish this, Guarnieri will collect moths once a month throughout the summer in a combination of managed grassland-style parks, urban pollinator gardens, and mowed turf fields. They will then compare how the moth species present change between habitats and with factors like flower abundance and light pollution levels.
Some cities have implemented projects, like diverse grasslands and urban gardens that aim to provide habitat for pollinators. When measuring the benefits of these habitats, most research is about daytime pollinators, like bees and butterflies. However, many pollinators, like most moths, are nocturnal, and are worth considering. Guanieri’s research will help cities create habitats that support a greater diversity of pollinators.
More Information
- Read more about the DeWind Award and related frequently asked questions. The application period for the 2025 DeWind Awards will open in November 2024.
Read about previous DeWind awardees and check out some of the publications that have resulted from DeWind-supported research.
As a conservation biologist for the endangered species program, Kevin’s efforts with the Xerces Society focus on protecting the hundreds of butterfly species that inhabit deserts, forests, and grasslands across the western United States. Many of these species are currently in decline or are threatened by habitat loss, insecticides, and the effects of climate change.
