Manduca sexta

Origin: Americas

Size: Larvae may exceed 10 cm; adults possess a wingspan of approximately 9–12 cm

Difficulty (Keeping): Beginner to Intermediate; fast-growing species requiring frequent feeding

Breeding Difficulty: Easy to Intermediate; breeds readily under warm conditions with proper host plants or artificial diet

Temperature: Keep within 24–28°C

Humidity: Moderate humidity is preferred during larval growth and pupation

Ventilation: Moderate ventilation is required to maintain healthy conditions

Diet: Larvae feed primarily on Solanaceae plants such as tobacco, tomato, pepper, and related species, or prepared hornworm diet

Habitat Setup: Larvae require spacious containers with regular cleaning due to rapid growth and waste production. Adults benefit from space for wing expansion and nectar feeding opportunities

Additional Notes: Manduca sexta is widely known for its rapid life cycle and large larval size. The species is commonly used in educational settings, entomology, and developmental biology research