Corrie Moreau

Senior Associate Dean

Moser Endowed Professor of Arthropod Biosystematics and Biodiversity

Professor, Department of Entomology

Professor, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Director and Head Curator of the Cornell University Insect Collection

As an organismal evolutionary biologist, who focuses on social insects and their gut-associated microbes, Dr. Moreau is interested in the role of diversification, biogeography, and symbiosis in shaping macroevolutionary processes to better understand broad-scale evolutionary patterns of life. To accomplish these goals she leverages field-based research with molecular and genomic tools to address the origin of species and how co-evolved systems benefit both partners. In addition to her passion for scientific research, Dr. Moreau is also engaged with efforts to promote science communication and increase diversity in the sciences.

Education

Ph.D. Harvard University (2003 – 2007)
M.A. San Francisco State University/California Academy of Sciences (2000 – 2003)
B.S. San Francisco State University (1996 – 2000)

Recent Research

Selected Publications

Moreau, C. S. & Ware, J. L. (2021). Fund natural-history museums, not de-extinction. Nature 598: 32.
Duplais, C., Sarou-Kanian, V., Massiot, D., Hassan, A., Perrone, B., Estevez, Y., Wertz, J. T., Martineau, E., Farjon, J., Giraudeau, P. & Moreau, C. S. (2021). Gut bacteria are essential for normal cuticle development in herbivorous turtle ants. Nature Communications 12: 676.
Grewe, F., Kronforst, M. R., Pierce, N. E. & Moreau, C. S. (2021). Museum genomics reveals the Xerces blue butterfly (Glaucopsyche xerces) was a distinct species driven to extinction. Biology Letters 17: 20210123.
Nelsen, M. P., Ree, R. H. & Moreau, C. S. (2018). Ant-plant interactions evolved through increasing interdependence. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA 115(48): 12253-12258.
Short, A. E. Z., Dikow, T. & Moreau, C. S. (2018). Entomological collections in the age of big data. Annual Review of Entomology 63: 513-530.
Blanchard, B. D. & Moreau, C. S. (2017). Defensive traits exhibit an evolutionary trade-off and drive diversification in ants. Evolution 71-2: 315-328.
Rubin, B. E. R. & Moreau, C. S. (2016). Comparative genomics reveals convergent rates of evolution in ant-plant mutualisms. Nature Communications 7: 12679.
Moreau, C. S. & Bell, C. D. (2013). Testing the museum versus cradle biological diversity hypothesis: Phylogeny, diversification, and ancestral biogeographic range evolution of the ants. Evolution 67(8): 2240-2257.
Russell, J. A.,+, Moreau, C. S.+, Goldman-Huertas, B., Fujiwara, M., Lohman, D. J. & Pierce, N. E. (2009). Bacterial gut symbionts are tightly linked with the evolution of herbivory in ants. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA. 106(50): 21236-21241. [+ co-first authors]
Moreau, C. S., Bell, C. D., Vila, R., Archibald, S. B. & Pierce, N. P. (2006). Phylogeny of the ants: Diversification in the age of angiosperms. Science 312(5770): 101–104.

Awards & Honors

Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society. 2021.
Cornell Graduate Diversity & Inclusion Faculty Champion Award. 2021.
Entomological Society of American Fellow. 2020.
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Fellow. 2018.
National Geographic Women of Impact 2018.
Sigma Xi (The Scientific Research Honor Society) elected full member. 2018.
Kavli Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, USA. 2016.
National Geographic Explorer – National Geographic Society. 2014.
Miller Fellow at the University of California, Berkeley. Miller Institute of Basic Research in Science Postdoctoral Research Fellow. 2007–2008

Courses Taught

ENTOM 9900: Doctoral Level Thesis Research
BIOG 2990: Introduction to Research Methods in Biology
BIOEE 9990: Ph.D. Dissertation Research
ENTOM 4040
ENTOM 4610
ENTOM 7670

Contact Information

3136 Comstock Hall

(607) 255-4934

corrie.moreau [at] cornell.edu

- Moreau Lab
- Publications on Google Scholar

Corrie in the news

Doctoral student Sylvana Ross spent the summer leading the Cincinnati Urban Ecology Study to better understand the insects in the city’s green spaces.

News

September 8, 2026

The secret lives of city insects: bringing urban ecology to the community

Doctoral student Sylvana Ross and a team of Cincinnati youths spent their summer studying city-dwelling insects, amassing data that can inform decisions that support healthy green spaces.

Entomology
Pollinators

News

April 11, 2025

Moreau to succeed Angert on CALS leadership team

Corrie Moreau, professor of entomology and of ecology and evolutionary biology, will transition from her role as senior associate dean for the Office of Access and Community Empowerment to the role of senior associate dean currently held by...