Adult Stage
Can the new Manduca moth fly right away?
- The new Manduca moth emerges from the pupal case with it's wings deflated. This means that the wings are sort of stuck together and soft.
- Manduca must spread its wings before they are hardened enough for flying.
- The moth climbs a stick and lets the small uninflated wings hang behind it.
- Gravity and pumping of fluid into the wing veins inflates the wings
- Inflation and hardening takes about 6 to 8 hours and usually occurs during the evening or night.
- When the insect is ready to fly, (usually at dusk or night) it shivers to increase its body temperature to about 98 degrees Fahrenheit or 37 degrees Celcius allowing it to fly.
How long do adult Manduca live?
- The adults typically live about a week.
- They feed mostly on nectar from flowers.
- The moths usually hover near the flower and extend their coiled proboscis into the flower.
- The proboscis is about twice as long as the body and allows the insect to feed without landing.
- Lurking spiders could feast for days on a single moth. The proboscis ensures that the moth stays safe and gets all of the food it needs.
How do adult Manduca reproduce?
- Females release chemicals into the air, called phermones, to attract males for mating.
- A fertilized female may lay as many as 700 eggs during her lifetime.
- Eggs are laid on the underside of leaves and there is normally only one egg deposited per leaf.
Manduca Moth Anatomy
- Adults are covered with scales that are modified hairs.
- The scales give the body and wings the characteristic mottled pattern.
- The moth is quite visible on green leaves, it normally rests on the trunks of trees where it become nearly invisible. This is an example of camoflague.
- The hind wings are stripped and are displayed when disturbed. This response will prevent a bird from attacking.
- Rubbing the wings, will remove the scales. Investigators think these scales act as insulation that allows the moth to raise its temperature for flight.
- As the adult ages, these scales are lost naturally.
- Wings without the scales are transparent.
Teacher note: To preserve the moth with its intricate scale patterns, it should be preserved soon after it emerges and hardens its wings. Methods for pinning and spreading the wings can be found in any general entomology text. Some individuals are highly allergic to insect scales and care should be taken when handling the adult moths.