Manduca sexta

Manduca sexta is a moth species from the family Sphingidae, commonly known as the tobacco hornworm and Carolina sphinx. It is a primary model organism in biology and neurobiology due to its large size, ease of culture, and short life cycle.

Description

The Manduca sexta is a large moth, with a wingspan of 90-120 mm. The adult moth is nectarivorous, while the larva is a voracious feeder on the leaves of plants in the family Solanaceae, including tobacco and tomato plants.

Life Cycle

The life cycle of Manduca sexta consists of four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The female moth lays her eggs on the underside of leaves. The eggs hatch into larvae, which feed on the leaves of the host plant. After several molts, the larva pupates in the soil. The adult moth emerges from the pupa and the cycle begins anew.

In Research

Manduca sexta is widely used in research due to its large size and ease of culture. It is a model organism in studies of insect physiology, neurobiology, and development. Its large size makes it ideal for electrophysiological studies, and its short life cycle allows for rapid generation turnover.

Control

Control of Manduca sexta is important in agriculture, as the larvae can cause significant damage to crops. Methods of control include the use of insecticides, biological control agents such as parasitic wasps, and genetically modified crops that produce toxins harmful to the larvae.

See Also

• Sphingidae
• Model organism
• Insect physiology

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  Manduca sexta in Missouri

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  Manduca sexta

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  Manduca sexta droppings

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  Illustration from British Entomology Volume 5

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  Manduca sexta on tomato

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  Tobacco Hornworm parasitized by Braconid Wasp

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  Tobacco Hornworm with cocoons