About This Project

This project is aimed at understanding the morphological differences between two species of Sphingidae (Hawkmoths). Both species of Apple Sphinx, Sphinx gordius and Sphinx poecila, are found in the Northeastern USA. Due to similarities in appearance, they are hard to separate in the field. This project aims to develop field marks for both adults and larvae, and use those marks to assess the populations found within Massachusetts and evaluate their conservation need.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

This is a pair of species that has always puzzled me! I see what I believe to be both species in very unique pine barrens habitat in Southeastern Massachusetts, but truthfully, without doing genetic barcoding, I can't be totally sure they're both there. This project aims to expand on current knowledge about these species, and setup specific ID features to be able to distinguish both the adults and larvae in the field. A paper that came out not too long ago, showed that many species of Sphingidae were declining across the northeastern USA (Young et al., 2017). Even in this paper, they couldn't separate out these species making it unclear which, if either are declining. I believe one is, and doing this study will make it clear which and allow for research into why.

What is the significance of this project?

These are pollinating moths that contribute to our ecosystem (Haber & Frankie, 1989) (SphingidaeUSA). It would be immensely helpful to distinguish these species more easily, and allow citizen science efforts to really help us capture data on their distribution and abundance. Once we can easily and accurately determine adults and/or larvae, we can develop complete range maps, and examine collections and other records to determine if either species is declining. Additionally, this project will also help determine what future conservation efforts are needed, and how to focus them.

What are the goals of the project?

There are a few goals, the first and foremost: develop visual identification guides that are concrete for both adults and larvae. Currently, the only way to separate these species is by DNA barcode, so barcoding must take place before proper visual identification could possibly be made. Once specimens from the Northeast and other regions have been barcoded and IDed genetically, I will analyze differences between the species. Once these features are determined, a backwards test will be made. I will make species level determinations in the field using these markings, and then barcode them to see if I'm correct. After the marks have been validated, I will establish accurate range maps, and evaluate conservation need in Massachusetts.