Manduca sexta (Linnaeus)

Tobacco sphinx

General

• This insect is a Lepidoptera (butterfly) of the Sphingidae family.
• Main host species: chilli, pepper, eggplant and tomato.
• Widely distributed on the American continent (South and North), in the West Indies and also present in Papua New Guinea.
• Observed in the open field as well as under shelters.  

Sensitive botanical family (s)

Affected production areas :

Organs attacked

Symptoms, damage

• Primarily attacks tomato plants.
• Presence of splits, holes on leaves, stems, flowers, buds and fruits.
• Up to 90% of the leaves can be eaten by this insect 

Biology

• Development cycle : probably completed in 30 days in tropical latitudes.
  • Eggs mainly laid on the underside of Solanaceae leaves; they are 1.5mm in diameter. 5 days are needed for the larvae to hatch.
  • Larva of rather large size reaching up to 5 cm. She has 5 pairs of prolegs and a "horn" at the end of her abdomen. Five larval stages follow one another in 20 days.
  • Pupation takes place in the soil 10 to 15 cm deep. The chrysalis of brown - red color measures approximately 5 cm.
  • The adults are large butterflies of 10 cm wingspan.

Protection

• Observe the plants carefully for the presence of larvae .
• Frequently pick and destroy larvae that are easy to spot.
• Work the soil in order to destroy the buried pupae.