Moth pollination through the looking glass.

Abstract

Plant-pollinator mutualisms are key to sustain ecosystem function and biodiversity. The study of plant-pollinator networks has conventionally focused on diurnal interactions, while flower-settling moths are among the most diverse yet least understood pollinator groups. The main objective for my dissertation was to better understand the role of moths as pollinators, particularly regarding the structure of flower-settling moth networks, and the ecological and evolutionary mechanisms that may shape these interactions. For this, I include two ecosystems of high conservation priority and value for biodiversity as models, Florida Sandhill and Colombian Páramo. Both case studies demonstrated that flower-settling moths offer stability for the persistence of pollination systems - particularly in systems when or where environmental conditions are too harsh for most other flower-visiting insects. In the páramo, contrary to what is expected with more severe abiotic conditions, the transition from cloud forest to páramo above the forest line led to an opening of the role of moths as potential pollinators - many of which have yet to be described or given credit for their services. Ultimately, settling moths offer a glimmer of hope in the darkness for pollinator conservation.