Phylogenetics provides information about evolutionary relationships and is an essential tool in understanding broad patterns within groups including disease transmission, pollination, agricultural implications, and morphological adaptations. The scarab beetle tribe Cyclocephalini (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae) includes 15 genera and approximately 500 species that are distributed primarily in the New World. Species in the group are important pollinators of aroids, palms and lilies; some are agricultural pests; and a few are invasive in areas where they have been introduced. The group has only been examined in a strictly alpha taxonomic fashion and only species of special agricultural and economic importance have been studied. The monophyly of the tribe and relationships of genera has not been addressed. A phylogenetic framework of this group will be an invaluable tool in predicting invasiveness of species in new environments; understanding co-evolution and pollination with host plants; and examining the evolution of interesting biological characters. Using adult morphological characters, my research will be the first to examine the phylogeny for this tribe of beetles. This research has broad implications in determining potential invasive species within the Cyclocephalini and understanding the historical biogeography of New World and Old World cyclocephalines.

Paper presented to the 7th Annual Symposium on Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects (GRASP) held at the Marcus Welcome Center, Wichita State University, May 4, 2011.Research completed at the Department of Biological Sciences