Endemism of Sphinx Moth (Lepidoptera Sphingidae) in the Agroecosystem of Bacusanon, Pangantucan, Bukidnon, Philippines

Abstract

Sphinx moths, or also known as hawkmoths, clearwing moths or hummingbird moths, are nocturnal insects which plays an essential role in the stability of terrestrial ecosystems. There are 117 species of sphinx moth occurring in the Philippines of which 62 species can be found in Mindanao Island. The light trap sampling technique was employed to successfuly collect crepuscular sphinx moths species. This paper aimed to provide information on species composition, endemism, local status and morphological data of sphinx moths in Bacusanon, Pangantucan, Bukidnon. A total of 25 individuals of sphinx moths were documented, which belongs to 9 genera of 13 species namely Acherontia lachesis, Acosmeryx anceus subdentata, Agrius convolvuli, Ambulyx johnsoni, Amplypterus panopus mindanaoensis, Amplypterus panopus panopus, Hippotion boerhaviae, Hippotion rosetta, Marumba ambroinicus luzoni, Psilogramma menephron, Theretra clotho, Theretra nessus and Theretra oldenlandiae. Of the 13 species, the local status revealed that 11 species are common, 1 species rare and 1 species uncommon. Twelve (12) or 92.3% species are endemic to the Philippines.

Species Composition, Local Status and Endemism of Sphingidae Moth in the two vegetation types of Mt. Musuan, Long-term Ecological Research Site, Bukidnon, Philippines

“…The same number of species composition were recorded in the study ofSuelo & Mohagan (2021) on the endemism of Sphinx moth in the Agroecosystem of Bacusanan, Pangantucan, Bukidnon having a total of 13 Hawkmoth species under 9 genera Mohagan et al (2022). published a recent study on the Species Composition and Assessment of Sphingidae in Mt.…”