Manduca sexta

 

 

Distribution:

throughout the Americas, from the USA to Argentina

Wingspan:

In between 9 and 12 centimeter

Season:

2 to 4 flights annually, overwinters as pupae

Food plants:

Solanaceae (especially Solanum, Datura and Nicotiana)

Rearing:

Easy and suitable for newcomers (even for children). Keep warm and clean, in well ventilated plastic containers when young, but move to a netted cage when older. Fast growing and ready to pupate in 3 to 4 weeks. The pupal stage in between the  flights is short (2 to 3 weeks). Overwinters as pupae which can be stored in the fridge.

Difficulties:

none