Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

Don Davis

Curator Emeritus of Lepidoptera
Department / Division
Education
  • BA Kansas 
  • PhD Cornell
Research Interests

Systematics and phylogeny of the basal families of Lepidoptera including the superfamilies Tineoidea and Gracillarioidea; biology of leaf-mining and cave-dwelling moths.

Don's research has focused on the phylogeny of the more primitive groups of Lepidoptera. He has published important references on many of these, in particular the families Acrolophidae, Carposinidae, Eriocottidae, Eriocraniidae, Gracillariidae, Neopseustidae, Ochsenheimeriidae, Opostegidae, Paleosetidae, Prodoxidae, Prototheoridae, Psychidae, and Tineidae, as well as on the new families Acanthopteroctetidae, Andesianidae, and Palaephatidae. Much of his research emphasizes the biology of his subjects and their immature stages. In recent years he has concentrated on the biology and biodiversity of plant-mining and cave-dwelling moths and is currently involved in major works on the Acrolophidae, Adelidae, Epipyropidae, Gracillariidae, Nepticulidae, and Tineidae. Since 2005 he has been a collaborator on the Lepidoptera ATOL (Assembling the Tree of Life), an online database maintained at the University of Maryland.  The primary objective for this NSF sponsored program based at the University of Maryland, will be to estimate a "backbone" phylogeny for entire order, using DNA sequences of up to 24 nuclear genes (~18 kb total) from multiple representatives of all 126 families, and testing all current deep-level phylogenetic hypotheses. The molecular phylogeny plus a comprehensive re-evaluation of lepidopteran fossils will provide divergence date estimates for the major lineages. As part of this project he is also assisting in creating web pages summarizing the state of knowledge for all lepidopteran families and superfamilies, to be posted on educational web sites such as Tree of Life. Don's various activities has involved him in fieldwork over much of the United States and in 40 countries that has resulted in the addition of nearly one million insect specimens to the National Museum. In 1977 he was awarded the Jordan Medal by the Lepidopterists' Society for his work on yucca moths and their allies (Prodoxidae).

Don has served as president of the Entomological Society of Washington (1977), the Lepidopterists' Society (1985), and the Biological Society of Washington (1985-86).

Publications
Book
Journal Article
Dataset
Book Review
  • Davis, Donald R. 2012. [Book review] "Thomas Sobczyk, 2005. Psychidae (Lepidoptera). In: M. Nuss (ed.), World Catalogue of Insects, Volume 10, Apollo Books Aps., Stenstrup, Denmark. 2005, 467 pp." Nota Lepidopterologica, 35, (2), 134.
  • Davis, Donald R. 2012. [Book review] "Basic Pattern of Lepidoptera Diversity in Southwestern Africa by Wolfram Mey." The Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society, 66, (3), 183.
  • Davis, Donald R. 2009. [Book review] "Biology, Distribution, and Diversity of Tineid Moths by Gaden Robinson." Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society, 64, (1), 32–53.
  • Davis, Donald R. 2008. [Book review] "The Lepidoptera of the Brandberg Massif in Nambia, Part 2. Lepidoptera Africana 4, ed. Wolfram Mey." Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society, 62, (1), 57–57.
  • Davis, Donald R. 2005. [Book review] "Lepidoptera, Moths and Butterflies, Vol. 2., Niels P. Kristensen, editor." Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington, 107, (1), 239–240.
  • Davis, Donald R. 1992. [Book review] "The Nepticulidae and Opostegidae (Lepidoptera) of North West Europe, by R. Johansson, E. S. Nielsen, E. J. van Nieukerken, and B. Gustafsson." Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society, 46, (3), 240–241.
  • Davis, Donald R. 1990. [Book review] "Fauna of New Zealand, Nepticulidae, by H. Conner and C. R. Wilkenson." Bulletin of the Entomological Society of Canada, 22, (1), 59–60.
  • Davis, Donald R. 1989. [Book review] "Lepidoptera Anatomy by J. L. Eaton." Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington, 91, (2), 293–294.
Web Page / Electronic Publication
  • Davis, Donald R. 2010. Family Epipyropidae. leptree.net.
  • Davis, Donald R. 2010. Family Andesianidae. leptree.net.
  • Davis, Donald R. 2010. Family Bucculatricidae. leptree.net.
  • Davis, Donald R. 2010. Family Opostegidae. leptree.net.
  • Davis, Donald R. 2010. Family Palaephatidae. leptree.net.
  • Davis, Donald R. 2010. Family Cecidosidae. leptree.net.
  • Davis, Donald R. 2010. Family Gracillariidae. leptree.net.
  • Davis, Donald R. 2009. Family Eriocraniidae. leptree.net.
  • Davis, Donald R. 2009. Family Heliozelidae. leptree.net.
  • Davis, Donald R. 2009. Family Acanthopteroctetidae. leptree.net.
  • Davis, Donald R. 2009. Family Neopseustidae. leptree.net.
  • Davis, Donald R. 2009. Family Adelidae. leptree.net.
  • Davis, Donald R. 2009. Family Incurvariidae. leptree.net.
  • Davis, Donald R. 2009. Family Prototheoridae. leptree.net.
  • Davis, Donald R. 2008. Family Arrhenophanidae. leptree.net.
  • Davis, Donald R. 2008. Family Acrolophidae. leptree.net.
  • Davis, Donald R. 2008. Family Eriocottidae. leptree.net.
  • Davis, Donald R. 2008. Family Psychidae. leptree.net.
  • Davis, Donald R. 2008. Family Tineidae. leptree.net.
  • Yen, S., Lopez-Vaamonde, Carlos, Sims, I., and Davis, Donald R. 2004. Evolution of sexual dimorphism, host use and female case architecture in bagworm moths (abstrr.).
Book Chapter
  • Rhainds, M., Davis, Donald R., and Price, P. W. 2009. "Bionomics of Bagworms (Lepidoptera: Psychidae)." In Annual Review of Entomology. Berenbaum, M. R., Carde, R. T., and Robinson, G. E., editors. 209–226. Palo Alto, CA: Annual Reviews.
  • Roe, Amanda D., Weller, Susan J., Baixeras, Joaquin, Brown, John, Cummings, Michael P., Davis, Donald R., Kawahara, Akito Y., Parr, Cynthia Sims, Regier, Jerome C., Rubinoff, Daniel, and Simonsen, T. J. 2009. "Evolutionary Framework for Lepidoptera Model Systems." In Molecular Biology and Genetics of the Lepidoptera. Goldsmith, Marian R. and Marec, Frantisek, editors. 1–24. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press/Taylor & Francis. In Contemporary topics in entomology series.
  • Davis, Donald R. 2004. "Biology and Diversity of the Plant-Mining Opostegidae. [abstract]." In XXII International Congress of Entomology, Symposium on Lepidoptera Phylogeny: Integrating Morphology, Life Histories and Molecular Evolution. 1.
  • Pastrana, J. A. and Davis, Donald R. 2004. "Micropterigoidea - Yponomeutoidea." In Los Lepidopteros Argentinos, Sus Plantas Hospedadoras y otros Alimenticios. 1–29.
  • Davis, Donald R. 2003. "The genetic background of three introduced leaf miner moth species - Parectopa robiniella Clemens 1863, Phyllonorycter robiniella Clemens 1859 and Camerari." In Proceedings International Symposium of the Kanazawa University 21st Century COE Program. Kumata, N., editor. 7. Tokyo, Japan.
  • Davis, Donald R. 2000. "Tineoidea and Gracillariodea." In Taxonomia, y Biogeografia de Artropodos de Mexico: Hacia una Sintesis de su Concocimiento [Invitational Chapter]. 469–482.
  • Davis, Donald R. 1998. "The Monotrysian Heteroneura." In Handbook of Zoology. Kristensen, N. P., editor. 65–90. Berlin, New York: Walter de Gruyter.
  • Davis, Donald R. 1998. "Biology of Yucca moths." In Biology of Lepidoptera [in Japanese]. Hirowatari, T., editor. 122–133.
  • Davis, Donald R. 1998. "Gracillarioidea." In Handbook of Zoology, Lepidoptera. Kristensen, N. P., editor. 107–117. Berlin, New York: Walter de Gruyter.
  • Davis, Donald R. and Robinson, G. R. 1998. "Tineoidea." In Handbook of Zoology. Lepidoptera. Kristensen, N. P., editor. 91–107. Berlin, New York: Walter de Gruyter.
  • Davis, Donald R. 1995. "Epipyropidae." In Atlas of Neotropical Lepidoptera, Checklist: Part 2, Hyblaeoidea - Pyraloidea - Tortricoidea. 21, 127.
  • Davis, Donald R. 1992. "Families Palaeosetidae, Neopseustidae, Opostegidae, Eriocottidae, Tineidae, Arrhenophanidae, and Psychidae." In Checklist of the Lepidoptera of Taiwan. 61–65.
  • Davis, Donald R. 1991. "Harvester butterfly." In Encyclopedia Americana. 838. Dansbury, CT: Grolier Incorporation. 13
  • Davis, Donald R. 1991. "Caterpillar." In The Encyclopedia Americana. International ed. 827–827. Dansbury, CT: Grolier Incorporation. 5
  • Davis, Donald R. 1991. "Ghost moth." In The Encyclopedia Americana. 724. Dansbury, CT: Grolier Incorporation. 12
  • Davis, Donald R. 1991. "Forward to the English Edition." In Fundamentals of Paleontology, volume 9 (Arthropoda, Tracheata, Chelicerata). 1–3.
  • Davis, Donald R. 1991. "Tiger moth." In Encyclopedia Americana. 740–741. Dansbury, CT: Grolier Incorporation. 26
  • Davis, Donald R. 1991. "Tomato hornworm." In Encyclopedia Americana. 834. Dansbury, CT: Grolier Incorporation. 26
  • Davis, Donald R. 1991. "Cocoon." In The Encyclopedia Americana. International ed. 170–170. Dansbury, CT: Grolier Incorporation. 7
  • Davis, Donald R. 1991. "Clothes moth." In The Encyclopedia Americana. International ed. 99–99. Dansbury, CT: Grolier Incorporation. 7
  • Davis, Donald R. 1991. "Cecropia moth." In The Encyclopedia Americana. International ed. 118–118. Dansbury, CT: Grolier Incorporation. 6
  • Davis, Donald R. 1991. "Imperial moth." In Encyclopedia Americana. 820. Dansbury, CT: Grolier Incorporation. 14
  • Davis, Donald R. 1991. "Codling moth." In The Encyclopedia Americana. International ed. 176–176. Dansbury, CT: Grolier Incorporation. 7
  • Davis, Donald R. 1991. "Ermine moth." In The Encyclopedia Americana. International ed. 554–554. Dansbury, CT: Grolier Incorporation. 10
  • Davis, Donald R. 1991. "Tent caterpillars." In Encyclopedia Americana. 501–502. Dansbury, CT: Grolier Incorporation. 26
  • Davis, Donald R. 1991. "Hawk moth." In Encyclopedia Americana. 884. Dansbury, CT: Grolier Incorporation. 13
  • Davis, Donald R. 1991. "Grass moth." In Encyclopedia Americana. 199. Dansbury, CT: Grolier Incorporation. 13
  • Davis, Donald R. 1991. "Fritillary." In Encyclopedia Americana. 102. Dansbury, CT: Grolier Incorporation. 12
  • Davis, Donald R. 1991. "Clearwing moth." In The Encyclopedia Americana. International ed. 7:41–41. Dansbury, CT: Grolier Incorporation.
  • Davis, Donald R. 1991. "Tortoiseshell butterfly." In Encyclopedia Americana. 867–868. Dansbury, CT: Grolier Incorporation. 26
  • Davis, Donald R. 1991. "Carpenter moth." In The Encyclopedia Americana. International ed. 701–702. Dansbury, CT: Grolier Incorporation. 5
  • Davis, Donald R. 1991. "Hairstreak butterfly." In Encyclopedia Americana. 695. Dansbury, CT: Grolier Incorporation. 13
  • Davis, Donald R. 1991. "Cabbage butterfly." In The Encyclopedia Americana. International ed. 110–110. Dansbury, CT: Grolier Incorporation. 5
  • Davis, Donald R. 1991. "Browntail moth." In The Encyclopedia Americana. International ed. 63–63. Dansbury, CT: Grolier Incorporation. 4
  • Davis, Donald R. 1991. "Chrysalis." In The Encyclopedia Americana. International ed. 688–688. Dansbury, CT: Grolier Incorporation. 6
  • Davis, Donald R. 1991. "Gypsy moth." In Encyclopedia Americana. 650. Dansbury, CT: Grolier Incorporation. 13
  • Davis, Donald R. 1991. "Leopard moth." In Encyclopedia Americana. 239. Dansbury, CT: Grolier Incorporation. 17
  • Davis, Donald R. 1991. "Swallowtail butterfly." In Encyclopedia Americana. 87. Dansbury, CT: Grolier Incorporation. 26
  • Davis, Donald R. 1991. "Buckeye butterfly." In The Encyclopedia Americana. International ed. 680–680. Dansbury, CT: Grolier Incorporation. 4
  • Davis, Donald R. 1991. "Luna moth." In Encyclopedia Americana. 851. Dansbury, CT: Grolier Incorporation. 17
  • Davis, Donald R. 1990. "Tineidae." In Primary Types of Microlepidoptera in the Museum of Comparative Zoology. 50–54.
  • Davis, Donald R. 1989. "[Definitions of new morphological terms in Lepidoptera]." In The Torre-Bueno Glossary of Entomology, Rev. Edition. 1.
  • Davis, Donald R. 1988. "Foreword." In The Lepidoptera Fauna of the USSR and Adjacent Countries, Vol. 56. 1–3.
  • Davis, Donald R. 1987. "Epipyropidae." In Immature insects. Stehr, Frederick W., editor. 456–460. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publ. Co. 1
  • Davis, Donald R. 1987. "Eriocraniidae." In Immature insects, Vol. 1.. Stehr, Frederick W., editor. 344–348. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publ. Co.
  • Davis, Donald R. 1987. "Ochsenheimeriidae." In Immature insects, Vol. 1. Stehr, Frederick W., editor. 367–368. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publ. Co.
  • Davis, Donald R. 1987. "Psychidae." In Immature insects. Stehr, Frederick W., editor. 366–369. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publ. Co. 1
  • Davis, Donald R. 1987. "Micropterigidae, Eriocraniidae." In Immature insects. Stehr, Frederick W., editor. 341–343. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publ. Co. 1
  • Davis, Donald R. 1987. "Gracillariidae." In Immature insects, Vol. 1. Stehr, Frederick W., editor. 372–374. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publ. Co.
  • Davis, Donald R. 1987. "Nepticulidae." In Immature insects. Stehr, Frederick W., editor. 350–353. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publ. Co. 1
  • Davis, Donald R. 1987. "Heliozelidae." In Immature insects. Stehr, Frederick W., editor. 354–357. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publ. Co. 1
  • Davis, Donald R. 1987. "Incurvariidae." In Immature insects. Stehr, Frederick W., editor. 358–361. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publ. Co.. 1
  • Davis, Donald R. 1987. "Tineidae." In Immature insects. Stehr, Frederick W., editor. 362–365. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publ. Co. 1
  • Davis, Donald R. 1987. "Adelidae." In Immature insects. Stehr, Frederick W., editor. 358–360. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publ. Co. 1
  • Davis, Donald R. 1987. "Micropterigidae, Eriocraniidae, Nepticulidae, Tischeriidae, Opostegidae, Incurbariidae, Heliozelidae, Tineidae, Psychidae, Ochsenheimeriidae, Lyonetiidae, Gracillariidae, and Epipyropidae." In Immature Insects vol. 2. Stehr, Frederick W., editor. 1–38.
  • Davis, Donald R. 1987. "Prodoxidae." In Immature insects. Stehr, Frederick W., editor. 359–362. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publ. Co. 1
  • Davis, Donald R. 1987. "Lyonetiidae." In Immature insects, Vol. 1. Stehr, Frederick W., editor. 370–372. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publ. Co.
  • Davis, Donald R. 1987. "Tischeriidae." In Immature insects. Stehr, Frederick W., editor. 354–357. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publ. Co. 1
  • Davis, Donald R. 1987. "Opostegidae." In Immature insects. Stehr, Frederick W., editor. 351–353. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publ. Co.. 1
  • Davis, Donald R. and Frack, D. C. 1987. "Acanthopteroctetidae." In Immature Insects vol. 2. Stehr, Frederick W., editor. 1–2.
  • Davis, Donald R. 1984. "Neopseustidae, Nepticulidae, Opostgidae, Tischeriidae, Incurvariidae, Cecidosidae, Adelidae, Prodoxidae, Tineidae, Psychidae, and Arrhenophanidae." In Atlas of Neotropical Lepidoptera, Checklist: Part 1, Micropterigoidea - Immoidea. 3–6.
  • Davis, Donald R. and Miller, Scott E. 1984. "Lyonetiidae." In Atlas of Neotropical Lepidoptera. Checklist: Part 1. Heppner, John B., editor. 25. The Hague: Dr. W. Junk Publishers.
  • Davis, Donald R. and Miller, Scott E. 1984. "Gracillariidae." In Atlas of Neotropical Lepidoptera. Checklist: Part 1. Heppner, John B., editor. 25–27. The Hague: Dr. W. Junk Publishers.
  • Davis, Donald R. 1983. "Acanthopteroctetidae, Dalceridae, Epipyropidae, Eriocraniidae, Gracillariidae, Heliozelidae, Hepialidae, Incurvariidae, Limacodidae, Lyonetiidae, Megalopygidae, Micropterigidae, Ochsenheimeriidae, Opostegidae, Psychidae, Tineidae, Tischeriidae, and Zygaen." In Check List of the Lepidoptera of America North of MexicoLondon. 65–67.
  • Davis, Donald R. and Wilkinsen, C. 1983. "Nepticulidae." In Check List of the Lepidoptera of America North of MexicoLondon. 2–3.