Manduca Growth & Development

Manduca sexta larva spelling the word Manduca

The following figures show Manduca growth from the beginning of the first instar and progressing to the pupal stage. You can see that multiple size classes exist at each instar (molt stage).

First instar:

Manduca sexta development during its first instar

Second instar:

Manduca sexta development during its second instar

Third instar:

Manduca sexta development during its third instar

Fourth instar:

Manduca sexta development during its fourth instar

Fifth instar:

Manduca sexta development during the late-stage (fifth instar) larvae stage

Pupal development:

Manduca sexta undergoing the pupal tanning process