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Image from Dr. Richard Vogt 's page:
http://zebra.biol.sc.edu/moth/manduca-l.html
Manduca sexta, commonly referred to as the tobacco
hornworm in its caterpillar stage and as the hawkmoth or
sphinx moth in its adult stage, is an excellent model
research system. The caterpillar is a common fast-growing
herbivorous insect that eats primarily tobacco and tomato
leaves, while the adult is a generalist nectar feeder.
Current research on Manduca sexta is extremely
wide ranging. People are investigating flight mechanisms in
the moth, larval nicotine resistance, hormonal regulation of
development, and hemolymph physiology, just to name a few of
the areas.
Because of its availability, quick lifecycle, and
extensive use as a research model, M. sexta is an
excellent candidate for use in undergraduate laboratories
and research projects. A wide variety of research questions
can be asked across the undergraduate curriculum.
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