Population Genetics and Speciation

Most of my career has been focused on research dealing with host plant specialization in insects and the role it plays in the creation and maintenance of new species.  The primary targeted organism has been a lepidopteran pest, the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), that feeds on corn, rice, and forage grasses throughout the Western Hemisphere.  I discovered two genetically differentiated moth strains associated with different host plants in 1985.  Since that time, my group studied behavioral and physiological adaptations by strains to host plants, and mating behavior differences between strains.  I am no longer studying fall armyworm but some of my conservation oriented projects draw from this work. 

Selected Relevant Publications Prowell, D. P.,  M. A. McMichael, & J. F. Silvain.  2004. Multilocus genetic analysis of host use, introgression and speciation in host strains of fall armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 97: 1034-1044. PDF copy. McMichael, M. and D. Prowell. 1999. Differences in amplified fragment length polymorphisms in fall armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) host strains. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 92:175-181. Bossart, J. L. & D. P. Prowell. 1998. Genetic estimates of population structure and gene flow: limitations, lessons and new directions. Trends Ecol. Evol. Biol. 13: 202-206.  PDF copy. Prowell, D. P. 1998. Sex linkage and speciation in Lepidoptera. In S. Berlocher and D. Howard (eds.), Endless Forms: Species and Speciation. Oxford Press, NY. Adamczyk, J. R., J. F. Silvain, & D. P. Prowell. 1996. Intra- and interspecific DNA variation in a sodium channel intron in Spodoptera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 89: 812-821.

Veenstra, K., D.P. Pashley, & J.A. Ottea. 1995. Host plant adaptation in fall armyworm host strains: Comparison of food consumption, utilization, and detoxification enzyme activities. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Amer. 88: 80-91.

Pashley, D.P., A.M. Hammond, & T.N. Hardy. 1992. Reproductive isolating mechanisms in fall armyworm host strains. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 85:400-405.

Pashley, D. P. 1988. Quantitative genetics, development, and physiological adaptation in sympatric host strains of fall armyworm.  Evolution 42: 93-102.

Pashley, D. P. 1986. Host associated genetic differentiation in fall armyworm: a sibling species complex?  Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 79: 898-904.