Philippine Journal of Science
151 (4): 1447-1453, August 2022
ISSN 0031 – 7683
Date Received: 31 Jan 2022

Hawkmoths of Baguio City, Philippines: a Preliminary
Checklist Derived from Photo-based Observation
Records Available on iNaturalist and Philippine
Lepidoptera Internet Platforms

Niño R. Mape¹*, Linda Alisto^1,2, and Ian J. Kitching³

¹The Philippine Lepidoptera Butterflies and Moths Inc.,
Quezon 3113 Nueva Ecija, Philippines
²18 D Upper P. Burgos Street, Baguio City 2600 Benguet, Luzon, Philippines
³Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD U.K.

*Corresponding author: ninorecariomape@gmail.com

[Download]
Mape N et al. 2022. Hawkmoths of Baguio City, Philippines: a Preliminary Checklist Derived from Photo-based Observation Records
Available on iNaturalist and Philippine Lepidoptera Internet Platforms. Philipp J Sci 151(4): 1447–1453. https://doi.org/10.56899/151.04.12

 

ABSTRACT

Hawkmoths are among the most popular insects but have received little attention in the Philippines over the last two decades. This study took advantage of the photographic records of hawkmoths available on two online social network platforms: iNaturalist and Philippine Lepidoptera. From these data sources, we created a preliminary species checklist and defined the species composition of hawkmoths in Baguio City, Philippines. We recorded a total of 275 observations made between January 2014–August 2021, from which 35 species and subspecies were identified. Nine (25.71%) of these are Philippine endemics. The community composition of hawkmoths in the city was composed generally of common species, observed mostly during the wet season. This study demonstrates the potential of publicly available photo-supported observations of hawkmoths as a valuable source to obtain data in support of basic lepidopterological studies and, hence, improve the dearth of information regarding Philippine hawkmoths.