Classification: What kind of insects are Manduca?

Manduca belong to a moderately large family of moths known as Sphingids (formal family name = Sphingidae). The name Sphingidae refers to the Sphinx-like pose the larva takes when disturbed.

The Sphingidae and other families of moths and butterflies belong to a larger grouping termed an Order, in this case Lepidoptera.

Butterflies and moths are part of yet a larger grouping termed a Class, in this case Insecta. Insects belong to a large Phylum called Arthropoda.

Arthropoda includes the insects, spiders, crabs, lobsters, mites, millipedes, centipedes and the extinct Trilobites.