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JOURNAL OF TROPICAL LIFE SCIENCE
2022, Vol. 12, No. 1, 131 – 140
http://dx.doi.org/10.11594/jtls.12.01.14
How to cite:
Mohagan AB, Guiang MMM, Nuñeza OM et al. (2021) Species Composition and Assessment of Sphingidae in Mt. Agad-
Agad, Iligan City, Philippines. Journal of Tropical Life Science 12 (1): 131 – 140. doi: 10.11594/jtls.12.01.14.
Research Article
Species Composition and Assessment of Sphingidae in Mt. Agad-Agad, Iligan
City, Philippines
Alma B. Mohagan1, Maria Melanie M. Guiang1, Olga M. Nuñeza2, Fulgent P. Coritico1, Honey Chris-
tine T. Anches1, Hanah Gloricel H. Jebulan1, Romeo R. Patano Jr.1*, Erl Pfian T. Maglangit 1,2, Victor
B. Amoroso1
1 Center for Biodiversity Research and Extension in Mindanao, Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Maramag,
Bukidnon 8710, Philippines
2 Department of Biological Sciences, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Andres Bonifacio
Avenue, Iligan City 9200, Philippines
Article history:
Submission April 2021
Revised April 2021
Accepted August 2021
ABSTRACT
Sphingidae (Hawkmoth or Sphinxmoth) is a known bioindicator that is naturally af-
fected by environmental issues such as deforestation and pollution. Members of this
family are widely distributed in Southeast Asia and play vital roles as indicators of
habitat quality and biomass degradation. This study highlights the diversity and as-
sessment of hawkmoths of Mt. Agad-Agad (Sitio Langinlanon, Barangay Puga-an)
on Iligan City. Two sampling stations were established, the upper and lower Mt.
Agad-Agad. Light trap sampling using 2 × 3 m2 white silk cloth and 500 watts light
bulb was established in selected points of the sampling stations. Six species belong-
ing to four genera were recorded of which two species, Acosmeryx socrates and Pol-
yptychus trilineatus philippinensis, were found very rare in the area. Station 2 (lower
Mt. Agad-Agad) had the highest number of species recorded compared to Station 1
(upper Mt. Agad-Agad). However, there is no significant difference between the two
(t=0.59, critical t=2.2281, p=0.56) sampling stations in terms of species composi-
tion. Moreover, two species from the genus Ambulyx are the endemic species ob-
served, viz, A. bakeri and A. wilemani.
Keywords: Ambulyx, Bioindicators, Hawkmoth, Light trap, Sphinx moths
*Corresponding author:
E-mail: rome-
onojrpatano@gmail.com
Introduction
The Family Sphingidae (hawkmoths or sphinx
moths) is considered one of the species-rich fami-
lies of relatively big-bodied and strong-flying
moths. Hawkmoths or sphinx moths are great pol-
linators when adults [1] and agricultural pests dur-
ing their larval stage [2, 3]. They mostly feed noc-
turnally and crepuscularly, while some species
feed strictly diurnally [4, 5, 6]. They are consid-
ered indicators of a healthy environment. Larvae
of Sphingidae have aid in controlling weeds and
help in the cross-pollination of certain flowering
plants. Along with butterflies, they also consume
of tons of plant matter and convert them into waste
materials [7]. They also serve as prey for other an-
imals [8].
There are approximately 1,470 hawkmoth spe-
cies worldwide [9]. They are found in almost all
of the continents and island groups in the world
except for Antarctica, with their largest concentra-
tion observed in tropical areas [10]. Hawkmoths
are widely distributed in South Asia and recorded
in many Asian countries, including the Philippines
[11, 12, 13]. Yakovlev et al. [14] documented 21
hawkmoth species in the Mongolian Altai. In the
study of Rafi et al. [15], 60 hawkmoth species
were recorded within the present-day boundaries
of Pakistan. Sublett et al. [16] documented a
greater number of species in Southeast Peru with
134 species. In the Philippines, on the other hand,
a total of 117 species were listed, where Palawan
island has the highest species count of 73 species
followed by Luzon with 72 and Mindanao, along
Mohagan AB, Guiang MMM, Nuñeza OM et al., 2022 / Sphingidae in Mt. Agad-Agad
JTLS | Journal of Tropical Life Science 132 Volume 12 | Number 1 | January | 2022
with Leyte and Negros with a count of 62 species
[17].
In Mindanao Island, several studies explored
different mountain ecosystems and discovered
hawkmoth species in the respective areas. In the
study of Mohagan et al. [18], eight hawkmoth spe-
cies were listed in the two proposed expansion
sites of Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctu-
ary, Davao Oriental. Another study by Mohagan
et al. [19] recorded a higher species count in se-
lected vegetation types of Mt. Hamiguitan Wild-
life Sanctuary, San Isidro, Davao Oriental and
Busay Garden, Marilog District, Davao City, with
a total of 22 hawkmoth species having 16 species
for each site.
Mt. Agad-Agad (08°21.530’ N, 124°27.282’
E) is a small mountain in Iligan City, Philippines,
with a maximum elevation of 520 meters above
sea level (masl). This area has no published infor-
mation about the status of hawkmoths. This study
presents the species composition, local status, and
endemism of hawkmoths on Mt. Agad-Agad.
Material and Methods
Study sites
The study site is Mt. Agad-Agad in Sitio
Langinlanon, Puga-an, Iligan City (Figure 1). Gra-
tuitous Permit (GP) No. R10 2020-05 was ac-
quired from the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR) Region X office to
collect samples in the site. Field sampling was
conducted on February 21-27, 2020 after a recon-
naissance survey was done to select possible sam-
pling stations. Light trap sampling was used in the
collection of hawkmoths on the site.
Establishment of the sampling stations
Two sampling stations were selected based on
elevation and the type of vegetation present. The
canopy epiphytes, vines, understory plants, and
ground cover plants were noted. The presence of
water body and type of weather was also observed.
Station 1 (N 08°21.303’, E 124°27.144’), the
upper part of Mt. Agad-Agad (Figure 2B), has an
agro-reforested type of vegetation. It has an eleva-
Figure 1. Map of the Philippines and Mindanao showing the location of Mount Agad-Agad, Iligan City. Colored
shapes correspond to the established sampling sites in the lower and upper agro-forested site (Google
Earth 2020)
Mohagan AB, Guiang MMM, Nuñeza OM et al., 2022 / Sphingidae in Mt. Agad-Agad
JTLS | Journal of Tropical Life Science 133 Volume 12 | Number 1 | January | 2022
tion of 200 – 470 masl and a total distance of two
kilometers. Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla
King) was the most abundant tree found in this sta-
tion. Acacia mangium Willd, Gmelina arborea
Roxb. ex Sm., and Eucalyptus sp. trees were also
present along with understory plants such as
“makahiya” (Mimosa pudica L.), “hagonoy”
(Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M.King & H.Rob.),
and ferns (Nephrolepis spp., Lygodium circinna-
tum (Burm.f.) Sw.). This station has no water
body. The soil was dry, and the station was windy.
Fruit trees were also present in the area such as co-
conut (Cocos nucifera L.), mango (Mangifera in-
dica L.), jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus
Lam.), and Soursoup or Guyabano (Annona muri-
cata L.).
Station 2 (N 08°21.523’, E 124°26.625’) is the
lower part of Mt. Agad-Agad (Figure 2A). It has
an agro-secondary forest type of vegetation and an
elevation of 70-200 masl with a total distance of
three kilometers. Compared to Station 1, this sta-
tion has a more diverse number of original trees
Figure 2. Lower (A) and upper (B) Mt. Agad-Agad, Iligan City, Philippines (N 08°21.303’, E 124°27.144’)
Mohagan AB, Guiang MMM, Nuñeza OM et al., 2022 / Sphingidae in Mt. Agad-Agad
JTLS | Journal of Tropical Life Science 134 Volume 12 | Number 1 | January | 2022
such as Koordersiodendron pinnatum (Blanco)
Merr., Pterospermum diversifolium (Spreng.)
Kuntze., Diospyros philippinensis A.DC, “anti-
polo” (Artocarpus blancoi (Elmer) Merr.), Cary-
ota mitis Lour., and “ilang-ilang” (Cananga odo-
rata (Lam.) Hook.f. & Thomson). Several flower-
ing and fruit trees were observed in the area. There
is a presence of headwater in the area making most
of the subterranean part wet. Ferns such as Adian-
tum spp., Angiopteris spp., Asplenium spp., and
Selaginella spp. were observed. Other original
plants such as Schismatoglottis calyptrata (Roxb.)
Zoll. & Moritzi, Begonia spp., Epithema benthanii
C.B. Clake, and Homalomena philippinensis Engl.
ex Engl. & K.Krause are still thriving, forming a
community along the streams and at the ridge with
a cooler temperature. The station was windy and
rainy.
Collection, processing, and identification of sam-
ples
Light trap sampling using a 2 × 3m white silk
cloth and 500 watts white light bulb powered by a
portable generator was done at 1800 to 400 hours
for a total of 60 light-trapping hours (Figure 3).
Sphingids attracted to the light were manually col-
lected and euthanized by exposing to 95% ethyl
acetate in the thorax following Lara-Pérez et al.
[20] procedure. Each sample was positioned in a
prepared triangular-shaped glassine paper with its
wings folded, and then it was transferred to a rec-
tangular microwaveable container containing
naphthalene balls to prevent contamination of
small insects [18]. The first author made the iden-
tification.
Local assessment, endemism, and species de-
scription of sphingidae
Classifying the local status of the hawkmoths
is based on the study of Mohagan and Treadaway
[21] where it can be interpreted through occur-
rences of individuals per species from 1-3 as very
rare, 4-10 as rare, 11-20 as common, and >20 as
very common. Endemism and description of
hawkmoth species are based on the book of
Hogenes and Treadaway [17] entitled “The Sphin-
gidae (Lepidoptera) of the Philippines”.
Statistical Analysis
PAST version 4.13 [22] was used to determine
the study's statistical test, which is the independent
t-test. This test was used in determining the statis-
tical difference between the two populations of the
two sites.
Figure 3. Light trap installations in upper (A & B) and lower (C & D) Mount Agad-Agad.
Mohagan AB, Guiang MMM, Nuñeza OM et al., 2022 / Sphingidae in Mt. Agad-Agad
JTLS | Journal of Tropical Life Science 135 Volume 12 | Number 1 | January | 2022
Results and Discussions
Species composition, local status, and endemism
of Hawkmoths
The study revealed a total of six hawkmoth
species under four genera. Two species, Acos-
meryx socrates Boisduval and Theretra clotho clo-
tho Drury were only found in Station 1, the upper
Mt. Agad-Agad. In contrast, three species were
only found in Station 2 (lower Mt. Agad-Agad),
namely: Ambulyx bakeri Clark, Ambulyx wilemani
Rothschild & Jordan, and Polyptychus trilineatus
philippinensis Rothschild & Jordan. Theretra rhe-
sus Boisduval was found both in stations 1 and 2.
Four species were found rare in the area, while
only two species: A. socrates and P. trilineatus
philippinensis were very rare. Two endemic spe-
cies, A. bakeri and A. wilemani, which are both
common and known in the Philippines [17] were
only observed in Station 2 mainly because of the
huge difference of the habitat of the two stations,
Station 2 has more diverse plants compared to Sta-
tion 1 (Table 1).
Hogenes and Treadaway [17] recorded 117
species of hawkmoths in the Philippines, where 62
species are found on Mindanao Island. The col-
lected species in Mt. Agad-Agad constitute only
5.13% and 9.68% of the overall species in the Phil-
ippines and Mindanao, respectively. The collected
species is higher than the collected species in Bega
Watershed, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, the Phil-
ippines in the study of Nuñeza et al. [23], which
collected only one hawkmoth species. The reason
for the low hawkmoth species count in Bega Wa-
tershed is because of the sampling method used by
the authors, where they only used sweep net in-
stead of a light trap. Moreover, the collected spe-
cies is lower than the collected species in the two
proposed expansion sites of Mt. Hamiguitan
Range Wildlife Sanctuary, Davao Oriental with
eight species in the study of Mohagan et al. [18],
Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary, Davao
Oriental, the Philippines with 16 species and
Busay Garden, Marilog District, Davao City, Phil-
ippines with also 16 species in the study of Mo-
hagan et al. [19]. This is probably because the said
sites, Mt. Hamiguitan and Busay Garden, have
wider areas and more diverse plants thus can
house more species.
The two stations have different vegetation
types and elevations. Station 1, upper Mt. Agad-
Agad, with a higher elevation and agro-reforested
type of vegetation, has lower species composition
(S = 3) than Station 2, lower Mt. Agad-Agad, with
a lower elevation and agro-secondary forest type
of vegetation (S = 4). However, the difference be-
tween the two is not significant (t = 0.59, critical t
= 2.2281, p = 0.56), as shown in Table 2. A study
of Mohagan et al. [19] showed similar results
wherein hawkmoth diversity is higher in lower el-
evation areas and decreases as elevation increases.
This might be correlated to the presence of their
food plants in the lower elevation.
The two stations have different plant composi-
tions, with Station 2 (lower Mt. Agad-Agad) hav-
ing more plants thus higher hawkmoth species
which coincided with the study of Menken et al.
[24] where he stated that hawkmoths are mega-di-
verse plant-eaters. Moreover, both stations were
Table 1. Species Composition, Local Status, and Endemism of Hawkmoths in Mt. Agad-Agad, Iligan City,
Philippines
Species
Study Stations
Local
Status
Endemism
Station 1
(Upper Mt.
Agad-Agad)
Station 2
(Lower Mt.
Agad-Agad)
Ambulyx bakeri Clark, 1929
0
4
R
PE
Ambulyx wilemani Rothschild & Jordan
1961
0
5
R
PE
Acosmeryx socrates Boisduval, 1875
1
0
VR
-
Polyptychus trilineatus philippinensis
Rothschild & Jordan, 1903
0
1
VR
-
Theretra clotho clotho Drury, 1773
6
0
R
-
Theretra rhesus Boisduval, 1875
3
5
R
-
Legend: PE – Philippine Endemic; R – Rare; VR – Very Rare.
Mohagan AB, Guiang MMM, Nuñeza OM et al., 2022 / Sphingidae in Mt. Agad-Agad
JTLS | Journal of Tropical Life Science 136 Volume 12 | Number 1 | January | 2022
Table 2. Statistical test (independent t-test) between
two sampling stations in Mt. Agad-Agad
Station 1
(Upper Mt.
Agad-Agad)
Station 2
(Lower Mt.
Agad-Agad)
Mean
1.6667
2.5
Variance
5.8667
5.9
No. of samples
6
6
t value
0.59507
Critical t
value (p=0.05)
2.2281
p-value
0.56502
windy and rainy, but water body is only present in
Station 2. However, these did not affect the com-
position of hawkmoths in both stations. This is be-
cause according to Mohagan et al. [18], hawk-
moths are fliers and crepuscular species, meaning
they have persistent wings to fly to the light
source.
Species Account
1. Acosmeryx socrates Boisduval, 1875 (Figure 4a
& b)
Description: The collected species was a female
with a head color of mostly dark brown. The body
length measured 44 mm and the antenna was
15mm long. The compound black eye had a diam-
eter of 5 mm. The thorax was dominantly brown
with a length of 11 mm. The wings were also
brown with a yellow spot on the base of the
hindwing. The forewing and hindwing measured
35 mm and 21 mm, respectively. Small orange-red
spots in the ventral abdomen were observed which
is said to be the unique characteristics of this spe-
cies. The description is similar to the record of
Hogenes and Treadaway [17].
Distribution: This species is restricted in the Phil-
ippines and Sulawesi. It is common and known in
many islands in the Philippines including Pala-
wan, Calamian, Mindoro, Luzon, Panay, Negros,
Cebu, Bohol, Samar, Leyte, Mindanao, Tawi-
tawi, and Bongao.
2. Ambulyx bakeri Clark, 1929 (Figure 4c & d)
Description: A. bakeri is characterized by its var-
iable coloration, blackish-brown for females and
light yellowish-brown in some males [17]. The
collected species was a male with a dominant
color of brownish-orange. The body measured 35
mm and the antenna was 10mm long. The com-
pound black eye had a diameter of 3 mm. The
thorax was dominantly brownish-orange with a
length of 11mm. The wings were brownish-orange
at the base and was brown at the tip. The forewing
measured 42 mm and the hindwing 22 mm.
Distribution: This species is endemic in the Phil-
ippines which is common and known from all ma-
jor islands excluding Palawan. This species is
common in Mindoro, Luzon, Marinduque, Panay,
Negros, Siquijor, Cebu, Leyte, Samar, and Minda-
nao.
3. Ambulyx wilemani Rothschild & Jordan 1916
(Figures 6a, b, c, & d)
Description: Ambulyx wilemani is characterized
by its prominently curved submarginal line that
runs from vein M1 to the tornus [17]. The head
was pale brown with a prominent brown dorsal
cortex. Both male and female species were col-
lected in the area. The female was larger with a
body length of 40 mm compared to the male with
a body length of 35 mm. Both antennae measured
16 mm with a compound black eye of diameter 4
mm. The thorax measured 10 mm and was pale
brown in color for the female whereas was 11 mm
and dark brown for the male. Both genders had the
same wing size. The forewing measured 42 mm
and had dark costal and sub-basal spots while the
hindwing measured 22 mm.
Distribution: This species is endemic in the Phil-
ippines which is common and known in most is-
lands including Sulu Archipelago. This species is
observed in Mindoro, Luzon, Marinduque, Panay,
Negros, Samar, Leyte, Mindanao, Sibutu, and
Tawi-tawi.
4. Polyptychus trilineatus philippinensis Roth-
schild & Jordan 1903 (Figures 6a & b)
Description: The collected species was a male
with a color of dark brown. The head was dark
brown to almost black. The body length was 38
mm with an antenna measuring 15 mm with a
compound black eye of diameter 3 mm. The
thorax measured 12 mm and was dark brown in
color. The forewing measured 43 mm and the
hindwing measured 26 mm. It is similar to the ob-
servation of Hogenes and Treadaway [17] which
recorded a minimum forewing length of 43 mm in
males.
Distribution: This species is common in the Phil-
ippines but not known in Palawan and Sulu Archi-
pelago. This species is recorded in most major is-
lands including Luzon, Panay, Negros, Siquijor,
Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, and Mindanao.
Mohagan AB, Guiang MMM, Nuñeza OM et al., 2022 / Sphingidae in Mt. Agad-Agad
JTLS | Journal of Tropical Life Science 137 Volume 12 | Number 1 | January | 2022
5. Theretra clotho clotho Drury, 1773 (Figures 6c
& d)
Description: The collected species was a male T.
clotho clotho. The head and body were pale brown
covered with brownish-green hair. The body
length was 48 mm, antenna length was 19 mm, and
compound black eye with diameter of 5 mm. The
thorax measured 13 mm and was dark brown cov-
ered with brown hair. The forewing measured 40
mm and the hindwing measured 22 mm. Hogenes
and Treadaway [17] forewing measurement
ranged from 35 mm-42 mm in males and the ob-
served species was within the measurement range.
Distribution: This species is found in Sri Lanka,
India, Nepal, North China, Korea, Japan, and from
the Andaman Islands through the Greater Sunda
Islands to Flores, Timor, Philippines, Taiwan, Su-
lawesi, Selayar, Moluccas, and New Guinea. In
the Philippines, it is very common and known and
is recorded in many islands including Balabac, Pa-
lawan, Calamian, Mindoro, Luzon, Sibuyan, Pa-
nay, Negros, Siquijor, Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, Samar,
Mindanao, Jolo, Tawi-tawi, Bongao, and Sibutu.
6. Theretra rhesus Boisduval, 1875 (Figures 7a, b,
c, & d)
Figure 4. Acosmeryx socrates (A&B) and A. bakeri (C&D) dorsal and ventral view. Scale bars: 5 mm
Figure 5. Acosmeryx wilemani male (A&B) and female (C&D) specimens. Scale bars: 5 mm
Mohagan AB, Guiang MMM, Nuñeza OM et al., 2022 / Sphingidae in Mt. Agad-Agad
JTLS | Journal of Tropical Life Science 138 Volume 12 | Number 1 | January | 2022
Description: Both male and female T. rhesus were
collected. The head was greyish brown with a
prominent white marginal line that extends to the
thorax. The female was larger than the male with
a body length of 49 mm and 45 mm, respectively.
The dorsal side of the abdomen had black vertical
stripes for the female and pale black stripes for the
male. The antenna of both genders measured 16
mm and compound black eye both with a diameter
of 5 mm. The thorax measured 14 mm and was
covered with brown hair. Both gender had the
same forewing and hindwing measurement of 39
mm and 20 mm, respectively. Hogenes and Tread-
away [17] forewing measurement ranged from 34-
42 mm in males and 38-47 mm in females. The
observed specimens were within the measurement
range.
Distribution: T. rhesus is recorded in Sumatra,
Java, Bali, peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, Sula-
wesi, and the Philippines. It is common and rec-
orded in many islands in the Philippines such as
Balabac, Palawan, Mindoro, Luzon, Marinduque,
Sibuyan, Panay, Negros, Siquijor, Cebu, Bohol,
Leyte, Samar, Mindanao, Jolo and Bongao.
Conclusion
In conclusion, six species in four genera were
recorded on Mt. Agad-Agad. Higher species rich-
Figure 6. Polyptychus trilineatus philippinensis (A&B) and Theretra clotho clotho (C&D). Scale bars: 5 mm
Figure 7. Theretra rhesus male (A&B) and female (C&D) specimens. Scale bars: 5 mm
Mohagan AB, Guiang MMM, Nuñeza OM et al., 2022 / Sphingidae in Mt. Agad-Agad
JTLS | Journal of Tropical Life Science 139 Volume 12 | Number 1 | January | 2022
ness (n = 4) was recorded in Station 2 (lower Mt.
Agad-Agad) than Station 1 (upper Mt. Agad-
Agad) which has three species. Four species were
rare and only two were found very rare in the area.
Two endemic species were observed. Elevation
and type of vegetation influenced the species com-
position between the two stations. Higher species
composition is observed in lower elevation with
agro-secondary forest vegetation. Moreover, the
weather and presence of the water body did not af-
fect the hawkmoth composition between the two
sites.
Acknowledgement
This study was funded by the National Re-
search Council of the Philippines (NRCP) through
Congressman Frederick Siao. The authors thank
DENR Region X for issuing the Gratuitous Permit
(GP), Iligan City mayor Hon. Celso G. Regencia
and Brgy. Captain Hon. Virgie M. Raman for al-
lowing us to conduct our sampling in Mt. Agad-
Agad, the Brgy. Forest guards and selected local
people for assisting us in the collection of speci-
mens and for acting as our guides and security, to
Mr. Aldrin Hongco and Mr. Romeo Tubongbanua
Jr. for helping the authors in the initial identifica-
tion of the sphingids, Central Mindanao Univer-
sity (CMU) administration for the logistics and
Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of
Technology for the collaboration.
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