Sphingidae Taxonomic Inventory

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Predicting the global distribution of Coffee Bee Hawk Moth (Cephanodes [sic] hylas L.) under climate change using MaxEnt

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:2026
Authors:K. Omanakuttan, Pandey, T., Chettri, A., Upadhyay, S., Kumar, S.
Journal:Scientific Reports
Volume:16
Start Page:11258
Pagination:11258
Date Published:27/02/2026
Type of Article:In press
Keywords:CEPHONODES, CLIMATE CHANGE, DISTRIBUTION, ECOLOGY, MAXENT, PEST, SPECIES DISTRIBUTION MODELLING, SPHINGIDAE
Abstract:

"Cephonodes hylas, or the Coffee Bee Hawk Moth, is a significant agricultural pest that threatens crops like coffee and garden plants in Asia, Oceania, and parts of Africa. Its larvae feed on Coffea species and Gardenia, making its distribution assessment crucial for future agricultural impact and management. This study employed MaxEnt to evaluate the potential distribution of C. hylas under three socioeconomic scenarios between 2041 and 2080. The model demonstrated high accuracy, with AUC values of 0.925 and TSS values of around 0.815. Key environmental factors affecting its distribution include precipitation, isothermality, temperature, and diurnal range. Currently, C. hylas is widespread across continents except Antarctica, with notable populations in Africa and Asia. Under a low-emission scenario, highly suitable habitats are projected to increase by 6.51% by 2080, while a high-emission scenario predicts a 55.46% reduction in suitable areas. This study underscores the need for monitoring and management to address the pest’s impact amid climate change."

URL:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-41791-x
STI taxonomic comments: 
The results should be interpreted as relating to the Cephonodes hylas species group as a whole, as the currently valid species, Cephonodes australis, Cephonodes melanogaster and Cephonodes virescens are all still treated under Cephonodes hylas.
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith