Abstract
Our objective is to improve the knowledge of the biology of the sweet potato hornworm, Agrius convolvuli, which might be useful as an experimental insect. A. convolvuli is closely related to the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, now used widely as an experimental insect. We investigated its life cycle and growth under laboratory rearing with artificial diets. A. convolvuli ecdysed to the 5th instar 12-14 days after hatching, pupated at 21-26 days and emerged at 36-41 days at 27°C and 16L-8D photoperiod. The 5th instar larvae grew up to 8cm in body length, and 11-12g in body weight. Ecdysis was time specific and varied in successive developmental stages, suggesting stage-specific gating rhythms. We discussed the similarities and differences between A. convolvuli and M. sexta and concluded that A. convolvuli has characteristics and advantages comparable to M. sexta as an experimental insect.
