Ensign wasps (Hymenoptera: Evaniidae) are colorful, frequently collected, and recognizable parasites of cockroach eggs, yet they have been relatively neglected by systematists and evolutionary ecologists. The main obstacle to future research on evaniids is the current classification, which is outdated and inadequate. The intent of this project is to overhaul evaniid taxonomy, investigate the phylogenetic relationships within the family and between it and other major Hymenopteran groups, and to use the relationships to examine several phenomena in an evolutionary context. In part I, a revision of evaniid genera will be conducted based on examination of a large body of material already assembled, and the new classification used to structure a world catalog of species following examination of type specimens in several major museums. In part II, phylogenetic relationships among the genera will be estimated using DNA sequence data from five genes (16S, COI, 28S, LW Rh, and one new gene) along with morphological characters. In Part III, the relationships between Evaniidae and other Hymenopteran superfamilies (emphasizing Evanioidea) will be estimated using DNA sequence data from three genes that have already been widely used across Hymenoptera (16S, COI and 28S). The results of Parts I through III will but useful not only for proposing new and more predictive classifications, but also for investigating the evolution of oviposition behavior in these wasps, as well as their biogeographic history. A promising young systematist will be trained during this dissertation project, and the results of the work will also have immediate impact on the larger NSF-funded Assembling the Tree of Life project on the megadiverse insect order Hymenoptera. The new generiuc classification for Evaniidae will open up this fascinating group to further taxonomic and ecological study.
