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The Journal of Zoology Studies
Vol. 3 No. 5 2016 Journalofzoology.com
Page 78
The Journal of Zoology Studies 2016; 3(5): 78-82
ISSN 2348-5914
JOZS 2016; 3(5): 78-82
JOZS © 2016
Received: 30-09-2016
Accepted: 06-10-2016
Anila Krishnan
Department of Zoology,
St. Thomas’ College (Autonomous),
Thrissur, Kerala, India
Corresponding Author:
Anila Krishnan
Department of Zoology,
St. Thomas’ College (Autonomous),
Thrissur, Kerala, India
Distribution of Sphingid moths (Order: Lepidoptera) in Parli
Panchayath, Palakkad District, Kerala
Author: Anila Krishnan
Abstract
Moths are nocturnal insects with dull colour, coming under Class Insecta, Order Lepidoptera.
The most common lepidopteron families include Noctuidea, Arctiidae and Sphingidae. Sphingid
moths are rare when compared to arctiid and noctuid moths because of the scarcity of host
plants. A survey was done to analyse the diversity of Sphingid species in the Parli Panchayath,
Palakkad District, this was the main objective of this study. The survey started from March –
June 2011.The collection of moths were done by using a light trap and it was operated from
6:30-9:30 pm all the days. A total of 72 moths were collected, from which only 18 moths belong
to the Family Sphingidae, which include 6 species. Hippotion boerhaviae seen in more number
in Parli Panchayath, due to the presence of host plants like colocasia and yam followed by
Macroglossum acquila. Genus Theretra was less in number in the study area when compared to
other genus like Hippotion, Macroglossum etc. Based on the data, the number of sphingid moths
was high in the month of May. The diversity of an insect species in an area may change with the
change in host plants. So the plants should be conserved for the sustainable development of
insects. In the current scenario, the cultivation of colocasia, yam and pea etc are in decreased
level, if its production is increased, more number of sphingid moths will attract and the species
diversity and abundance can be increased. The study gave a preliminary data of Sphingid moths
in Parli Panchayath, and their host plants.
Keywords: Sphingidae, Hawk moth, Lepidoptera, Hippotion boerhaviae
1. Introduction
The Sphingid moths are widely distributed throughout the world and are moderate sized to very
large moths. They are mostly tropical. They are also called “Sphinx” or “Hawk Moths”. Species
of the genus Macroglossum scopoli is known as “Humming bird hawks” as the body of these
moths are about the size of a humming bird (Holloway, 1979 [5]
).
The Hawk-Moths are among the most familiar and best known of Order Lepidoptera, both the
stream lined adults and the horned larvae, some of which bear a striking resemblance to the head
of a snake in both appearance and behaviour when alarmed. Usually the body is somewhat
spindle-shaped, tapering and pointed both anteriorly and posteriorly. The adults fly by day, by
night, or in the crepuscular period. Many moths are with long tongue that has evolved in parallel
with long, tubular corollas or nectaries on the flowers they pollinate. Some of these species
hover in front of the flowers rather than settling on them; the only instances of hovering in the
Lepidoptera.
The Journal of Zoology Studies
Vol. 3 No. 5 2016 Journalofzoology.com
Page 79
A sphinx moth found at rest usually cannot fly
immediately because its body temperature is too low. If
one of them is disturbed minutes or more, and then
take to the air. This raises its internal temperature to
the point at which it can fly (Maurice et.al., 1975 [7]
).
Its powerful flight is associated with migratory habits.
The convolvulus hawk is a huge grey moth with a very
wide range, from Africa and Europe across Asia to
Australia. Almost all of the adult moths feed on nectar,
hovering and probing the flowers with the long tubular
proboscis, which is coiled when not in use.
Family Sphingidae divided in to two sub families:
Sphinginae and Macroglossinae (Borror DJ et.al., 1954 [3]
). The hawk moths of India were first classified by
the Hampson in Blanford, “Fauna of British India-
moths” (Hampson, 1892 [4]
). He recorded 121 species
from India and Ceylon, and in 1904 the number of
known species had risen to 163. There are studies
regarding the survey on the bio-diversity in the Silent
Valley National Park were also analysed and identified
the species of Sphingid family (Mathew et.al., 1995 [6]
).
Some common sphingids in India include Acherontia
styx, A. Lachesis on Lablab niger, Sesamum indicum
and Solanum melongena; Deilephila nerii on Nerium
odorum; Hippotion oldenlandiae on colocasia; H.
Celerio on grape wine etc (Nair KK et.al., 1976 [9]
).
2. Materials and Methods 2.1 Study area: The area selected for the study was in
the Parli Panchayath of Palakkad district.
Fig 1: Study area: Map of Parli Panchayath, Palakkad District (Source: Google map)
2.2 Collection and preservation: Generally moths are nocturnal in habitat including the
Shingids. In places with good vegetation, collection is
done with the help of a light trap. A light trap
(Fluorescent emergency lamp) is used for illumination
and is placed on a stand 2.5 cm above from the ground
level and operated from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm of all
nights. Attracted moths of different size, colour and
families were transferred carefully into killing jar.
Beetles, other insects and other moths belonging to
different families rather than Sphingids were instantly
removed from traps because they would cause damage
to the required moths.
For spreading purpose, the moths must be killed
without any damage. For this a killing bottle containing
benzene or chloroform was used. The moths were
transferred in to the cylindrical, glass made killing jars.
Then a cotton piece soaked with benzene or chloroform
was inserted in to the jar. The dead specimens were set
upon spreading boards.
The moths were first pinned at the thoracic region
using entomological pins. The wings were spread in
such a way that the wings should be straight across at
right angles to the body. The pinned moths were
transferred in to oven and kept at 40-45 ºC for well
drying in raining days. Some specimens were kept in
sunlight in sunny days for half day for drying. After
The Journal of Zoology Studies
Vol. 3 No. 5 2016 Journalofzoology.com
Page 80
well drying, pinned insects were transferred into
collection boxes. Naphthalene balls were used as a
fungicide as well as insecticide in the box to keep the
specimens free from attack by various storage pests.
Labelling is done for proper scientific studies. All
collected Sphingids were labelled indicating the date,
time and locality.
2.3 Identification: The moth collected were sorted out
and identified to the species level, by reference through
literature and again confirmed with the help of experts
of KFRI.
3. Result
3.1 Economic importance: The members in the Sphingid family are not a serious
pest or not coming under the major pest status.
1) Acherontia lachesis:Eggs are laid on a variety of host plants, belonging to the families
Solanacea, Verbaceae, etc.
2) Agrius convolvuli: It causes damage to sweet potatoes, green grams etc. The larvae feeds on
food plants in the pea and convolvulus
families.
3) Hippotion boerhaviae: It is a pest of colacasia and yam and it causes severe damage to host
plant.
4) Macroglossum aquila Boise: It causes damage to sweet potatoes, green grams etc.
Table 1: Showing the monthly collection data of Sphingid moths.
S.No Name of the sphingid species Number of moths obtained
Total March April May June
1 Acherontia lachesis Fab 1 0 1 0 2
2 Agrius convolvuli Linn 1 0 1 0 2
3 Hippotion boerhaviaeFab 2 2 2 2 8
4 Macroglossum aquilaBoisd 1 1 1 1 4
5. Theratra nessusDrury 0 0 1 0 1
6. Theretra oldenlandiae 0 0 1 0 1
Total 5 3 7 3 18
These are the photographs of six species which was collected during march to june 2011.
1. Acherontialachesis Fab.
2. Agrius convolvuli Linn.
3. Hippotion boerhaviae Fab.
4. Macroglossum aquilaBoisd
The Journal of Zoology Studies
Vol. 3 No. 5 2016 Journalofzoology.com
Page 81
5. Theretra nessus Drurry
6. Theretra oldenlandiae Fab.
Fig 2: Photographs of Sphingid Species collected from Parli Panchayath (1-6).
Fig 3: Graph representing the population density of Sphingids from March to June 2011, at Parli Panchayath.
Fig 4: Pie diagram showing the species diversity of Sphingid moths in the study area.
The Journal of Zoology Studies
Vol. 3 No. 5 2016 Journalofzoology.com
Page 82
4. Discussion
Out of the total 72 moths collected from Parli
Panchayath 18 moths belong to the Family Sphingidae,
which included 6 species. The reason for
proportionally lower number of Sphingids than other
Lepidoptera moths in the study area was also
demonstrated, that the unavailability of more number
of host plants. Plants belong to family Convolulaceae,
Malvaceae, Solanaceae, Fabaceae were not abundant in
this area.
There is a fluctuation in the total number of Sphingid
moths with seasons. The maximum collection of moths
was obtained during May. Hippotion boerhavia is seen
in more number in Parli Panchayath, due to the
availability of host plants such as colocasia and yam.
Macroglossum Aquila Boisd is in the second position
because of the host plants are more common in
ParliPanchayath compared with host plants of other
species of Sphingidae.
According to Monge and Najera, there are also some
species of family Sphingidae emit audible sound. Here
Acherontia sp, is an example for this. The regional
species richness is influenced by biogeography of that
region. The Parli Panchayath includes rivers, hills, etc.
So the diversity in different regions is different (Beck
et.al., 2006 [2]
). So the biogeography is influenced the
species richness of Sphingid moths in ParliPanchayath.
The comparison of two study area gives an idea about
the diversity, species richness, and evenness (Aslam M,
2009 [1]
). Here the study confined to a single area, this
comparison should not applicable. The study about the
special variation in species diversity and composition
of forest Lepidoptera in Eastern deciduous forest of
north America (Summerville et.al., 2003[10]
). From the
study they concluded that the lepidopteron community
are influenced eco-regional difference. So in different
eco regions the diversity may vary. As such, Parli
Panchayath, where the study was done is a hilly area.
Thus the species diversity is similar to the high altitude
varities.
5. Conclusion
Sphingids are economically important group of insects.
Many species of this family are pests of various
agricultural crops. A study of available literature on
these insects has indicated that very little is known
about the species occurring in kerala.
The results and data regarding about the Sphingid
examined in the study is given. The locality and the
number of collection materials are also given.
6. Acknowledgement
We thank our Principal Dr. Jenson. P. O, St. Thomas’
College, Thrissur for his inspiration. Also thank our
Head of the Department Dr. Francy K Kakkassery for
his valuable guidance and extremely grateful to Dr. C.
F. Francy for guiding me to complete this study.
7. References 1. Aslam M. Diversity, Species Richness and
evenness of moth Fauna of Peshawar. Pak.
Entomol.2009; 31(2):99-102.
2. Beck J, Kitching IJ, Linsenmair KE. Effects of habitat disturbance can be subtle yet
significant: biodiversity of Hawk moth
assemblages (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) in
South East Asia. Biodiversity and
Conservation. 2006; 15(1): 465-486.
3. Borror DJ, Long DM. Introduction to the study of Insects.1954; 403-405.
4. Hampson GF. The fauna of British India-Sphingidae. Taylor and Francis Ltd,
London.1892; 348-451.
5. Holloway JD. A Survey of the Lepodoptera, biogeography and ecology of New Caledonia.
Dr.W.Junk B.V. Pubhlishers, The Hague-
Boston-London.1979.
6. Mathew G, Rahamathulla VK. Biodiversity of moths on silent valley national park.
Entomon.1995; 20(2):25-33.
7. Maurie, Burtan R. Encyclopedia of Insects and Arachnids. Octopus Book Limited,
London.1965; 175-178.
8. Monge J, Najera. Minireview of Sound Emossion in Lepidoptera, Biologia.
9. Nair KK, Anathakrishnan TS, David BV. General and Applied Entomology. TATA
McGraco Hill Publishing Company
Limited.1976; 262
10. Summerville KS, Boulware MJ, Veech JA, Christ TO. Spatial variations in Species
diversity and composition of forest
Lepidoptera in East deciduous forest of North
America. Conservation biology. 2003;
17(4):1045-1047.
Krishnan A. Distribution of Sphingid moths (Order: Lepidoptera) in Parli Panchayath, Palakkad District, Kerala. Journal of Zoology Studies.
2016; 3(5):78-82.
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