A MnSOD gene was cloned from the fall webworm, H. cunea. The MnSOD cDNAs encode precursor proteins of 215 amino acid residues. The deduced amino acid sequences of the H. cunea MnSOD cDNA showed 76% identity to B. mori MnSOD and 62-56% to MnSOD sequences from other organisms. MnSOD and Cu/ZnSOD in H. cunea is expressed from all tissues. MnSOD expression is changed at a trace level in infected larvae, while Cu/ZnSOD expression is strongly changed against bacteria, and fungi. The expression level of Cu/ZnSOD increased by different artificial photoperiod (24L:0D), UV irradiation (312nm), and starvation condition, while the expression level of MnSOD only increased by starvation condition. Also, expression of MnSOD and Cu/ZnSOD showed no significant change in 0L:24D condition. In addition to expression levels of Cu/ZnSOD in H. cunea significantly increased by temperature stress and injection with paraquat, but reduced by injection with 10% H2O2. The expression level of MnSOD significantly increased by temperature stress and reduced by injection with 10% H2O2 and paraquat.