Manduca
Guides
Cotesia congregata
Hornworm Parasitoid Wasp
Cotesia congregata is a gregarious endoparasitoid wasp and a model organism in insect physiology research. Females oviposit eggs into caterpillar hosts, primarily tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta) and tomato hornworm (Manduca quinquemaculata), simultaneously injecting a symbiotic polydnavirus (CcBV) and venom. The virus suppresses host immune defenses and disrupts development, allowing wasp larvae to complete their growth inside the living host. Mature larvae emerge through the host cuticle and spin white silk cocoons on the exterior surface. The wasp exhibits post-emergence learning of host plant cues, with a critical learning window of 0–4 hours after adult emergence.
Sphingidae
sphinx moths, hawk moths, hornworms, hummingbird moths
The Sphingidae are a family of moths comprising approximately 1,450 species, best represented in tropical regions but occurring worldwide. Members are moderate to large in size with exceptional flight capabilities, including sustained hovering and rapid, agile maneuvering that rivals hummingbirds. Their streamlined bodies and narrow wings represent convergent evolution with nectar-feeding birds and bats. The family includes economically significant species: some adults are important pollinators with extremely long proboscises, while larval hornworms are major agricultural pests on solanaceous crops.