New Distribution Record of Cechenena transpacifica (Clark, 1923) and Theretra acuta (Vaglia & Liyous, 2010) of Family Sphingidae in Mindanao, Philippines: Identification based on Morphology and CO1 DNA Barcode

Hawkmoths belonging to Family Sphingidae are distinguished by their narrow wings, streamlined bodies and varying length of proboscis making them one of the most important insects in our ecosystem. Two species collected in Mt. Balatukan and Mt. Melibengoy were identified based on morphological description and DNA barcoding (LepF and LepR primers) as Cechenena transpacifica (Clark, 1923) and Theretra acuta (Vaglia & Liyous, 2010). This species were only recorded to exist in Luzon and Visayas. In this study, we provide detailed morphological description and identification based on DNA barcoding of the two species as reported to be found in Mindanao for the first time. The phylogenetic tree inferred from Maximum-Likelihood Method showing monophyletic clade with Family Sphingidae for the two species.