Unrecorded Hawk-Moth Appears on Desroches

A previously unrecorded species of hawk-moth (family Sphingidae) has been spotted for the first time in recent months on Desroches Island.

​This hawk-moth is believed to belong to the genus Macroglossum, and its discovery may represent either a new species or one known from elsewhere, but that has until now gone unnoticed in Seychelles. Insects on Desroches have been recorded opportunistically since 2024, when a new team with an interest in entomology arrived on the island.

According to the ICS Conservation Officer, Lisa Wareing, the insect of their interest seemed to have been on the island for a while since a thriving population, with multiple females, has been identified and seen actively laying eggs. Interestingly, all sightings have so far been of females, with most found on the Noni plant (Morinda citrifolia), on which they lay their eggs. When and on which plant the adults feed on is as yet unknown, leaving more work for the team to do. 

“The caterpillars can vary in colour, with some being bright green while others are black. They also have or grow a long tail,” describes Wareing, referring to the horned larvae common to the species. The adults’ behaviour in feeding during the daytime is in contrast to most other moth species on the island, which is what made it first stand out. The adult is dark brown, with orange patches on the underwing. It only seems to fly in low light around dawn and dusk, which makes it difficult to find.

To help clarify its identity, the ICS team has reared caterpillars and documented every stage of the development. They have also collected specimens of those that hatch, which have been preserved and will be sent to international laboratories and other colleagues for identification.
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This unexpected discovery has added a new dimension to the conservation efforts on Desroches Island, as well as other islands where ICS has a permanent presence. Desroches is known for its giant tortoises; however, the island’s smallest inhabitants also deserve attention. A new species of wasp for Seychelles has also been found by the team, which shows the potential for further research. Studying moths may not be every conservationist's interest, but this is a sure sign that there are many more things to be discovered by science, especially when it comes to insects. ​