distribution of sphingid moths (order: lepidoptera) in ... · the parli panchayath of palakkad...

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.



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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



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



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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.



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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distribution of sphingid moths (order: lepidoptera) in ... · the parli panchayath of palakkad...

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