Geographical and temporal distribution of hawkmoth (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) species in Africa

Hawkmoths consist of both diurnal and nocturnal species that are an important component of tropical ecosystems, with significant roles as major pollinators of both crops and wild flora. Pollinators are in decline world-wide and there is need for baseline data to inform their conservation strategies. Species data from Museum collections have been shown to be of great value as a tool for prioritising conservation actions in Africa. The National Museums of Kenya (NMK) has a large active entomology collection that is in continuous growth.The NMK’s collection of hawkmoths had not been digitized till 2017. This moth family Sphingidae includes about 1400 species and 200 genera worldwide with about 70% of these species occurring in Africa. These moth species can also be used as indicators in biodiversity assessments as they can be easily sampled and identified. However, hawkmoths have rarely been surveyed over the long term for this purpose. Long-term datasets are of unquestionable significance for understanding and monitoring temporal changes in biodiversity. These hawkmoth data have addressed one of the most significant challenges to insect conservation, the lack of baseline information concerning species diversity and distribution and have provided key historic hawkmoth species diversity and distribution data that can be used to monitor their populations in the face of climate change and other environmental degradation issues that are facing the world today. The publication of the hawkmoth species occurrence data records in GBIF has enhanced data visibility to a wider audience promoting availability for use. The hawkmoth (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) collection at the National Museums of Kenya was digitized in 2017 – 2020 and this paper presents details of species occurrence records as in the insect collection at the NMK, Nairobi, Kenya. The collection holds 5,095 voucher specimens consisting of 87 genera, and 208 species. The collection covers the period between 1904 and 2020. The geographical distribution of the hawkmoths housed at the NMK covers East Africa at 75%, West Africa at 7%, Southern Africa at 6.9%, Indian Ocean Islands at 4.5%, Central Africa at 4%, Horn of Africa 1.6%, North Africa 0.2% and East-Central Africa at 0.1%.