Biology and Morphometrics of Humming Bird Hawkmoths, Macroglossum belis Linn. and Macroglossum gyrans Walker (Sphingidae: Macroglossinae) on Morinda tinctoria Roxb.

The aim of present investigation was to study the biology and morphology of developmental stages of hawkmoth species viz., Macroglossum belis (Linnaeus) and M. gyrans (Walker), members of Sphingidae from subfamily Macroglossinae. Their eggs were collected and reared on Indian mulberry, Morinda tinctoria as a host for the maintenance of pure culture in the laboratory. From the results it was showed that egg period and egg sizes were almost same for both species studied. But, variations in the duration and size were observed from larva to adult. The total developmental period was longer in M. belis with 35.2 ± 1.61 days and shorter in M. gyrans with 29.9 ± 2.13 days. Same trend was observed in larval period with 15.4 ± 0.52 days and 11.5 ± 1.17 days, respectively.