Distribución geográfica del género Manduca (Sphingidae) en Ecuador y sus implicaciones agroecológicas

"The genus Manduca (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) includes species of moths with ecological and agricultural relevance, which can act as pollinators or crop pests. This study aimed to analyze their geographical distribution in Ecuador, using data from scientific collections, digital repositories, and Geographic Information System (GIS) tools. Through this approach, distribution patterns were identified in the four main regions of the country (Sierra, Coast, Amazon, and Islands), as well as their associations with agricultural crops and various ecosystems. The results showed that the highest concentration of Manduca records is found in the Sierra region (170 records), followed by the Coast (154 records), with a particularly notable presence of Manduca rustica. This finding suggests a possible preference for mountainous areas and that Manduca species could play a crucial role in crop pollination in these areas. In addition, their involvement as pests in some agricultural areas was recorded. The results of the study emphasize the need to adopt agroecological approaches that recognize the dual roles of these moths, seeking a balance between their conservation as valuable pollinators and their control as agricultural pests, as mentioned in the discussion."