Office Location
CASNR Annex | Room 107
Education
Ph.D. | Entomology | Purdue University | 2023
M.S. | Biology | Brigham Young University | 2018
B.S. | Biology | Brigham Young University | 2016
Dissertation Summary
Investigated the systematics, taxonomy, and ecology of lichen-feeding tiger moths.
In particular, evaluated the phylogenetic relationships within a subtribe, resolved
a species complex, and used ecological niche models to better understand interactions
with lichen hosts.
Areas of Expertise
Entomology Taxonomy
Systematics
Biodiversity Ecological Niche Models
Publications
Sisson, M.S., Dowdy, N.J., Fisher, M.L., Lawrence, G., Goldstein, P.Z., Homziak, N.,
Schmidt,B.C., Simmons, R., Weller, S., Zahiri, R., Zaspel, J.M., and Zilli, A., (2025).
Erebidae Systematics: Past, present, and future – Progress in understanding a diverse
lepidopteran lineage. Insect Systematics and Diversity.
Hadfield, R.*, Mulford, T.*, Fisher, M.L.*, Borgmeier, A., Ardon D., Suchomel A.D.,
Lontchi, J.F., Sutherland, L., Huie, M., Lupiyaningdyah, P., Nichols, S., Lin, Y.F.,
& Anataprayoon, N., (2024). Imperiled wanderlust lichens in steppe habitats of western
North America comprise geographically structured mycobiont lineages and a reversal
to sexual reproduction within this asexual clade. *these authors contributed equally
as co-first authors. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 201, 108212.
Skvarla, J.M., Fisher, M.L., Christensen, C.C., Jensen, W.F., & Kelly, E.J. (2024).
Some new range records for Pacific Deer Keds and Western Deer Keds (Hippoboscidae:
Neolipoptena ferrisi and Lipoptena depressa). Prairie Naturalist Notes, 56:N5-N9.
Fisher, M.L., (2023). Observed unpalatability of Hypoprepia fucosa (Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini)
to an Eremobates scaber species group Solifugae (Arachnida). The Lepidopterists’ Society,
77(3), 202-207.
Fisher, M.L. & Cicero, J.M., (2022). First Record of the Firefly Pleotomus nigrepennis LeConte
(Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Lampyrinae: Pleotomini) from Utah, USA with Comments on its
Distribution and Morphology. The Coleopterists’ Bulletin, 76(3), 394-397.
Fisher, M.L. & Schmidt, B.C., (2022). Rediscovery of Apantesis eureka (Erebidae: Arctiinae: Arctiini):
Contributions to the Distribution and Biology of a Great Basin Endemic. The Journal
of the Lepidopterists’ Society, 76(3), 210-213.
Hale, E., Fisher, M.L., Keuler, R., Smith, B., & Leavitt, S.D., (2019). A biogeographic
connection between Antarctica and montane regions of western North America highlights
the need for further study of lecideoid lichens. The Bryologist 122(2), 315-324.
Fisher, M.L., Mower, R.C., & Nelson, C.R., (2019) Climacia californica Chandler, 1953 (Neuroptera:
Sisyridae) in Utah: taxonomic identity, host association and seasonal occurrence.
Aquatic Entomology 40(4), 317-327.
Advisor
Dr. Richard Stevens
Current CV for Makani Fisher
