Amorpha juglandis — Walnut Sphinx

(J. E. Smith, 1797)

Hodges# 7827

Etymology

Amorpha: Greek word meaning “shapeless” or “deformed;” likely refering to the odd position of moth's wing while at rest.

Juglandis: Pertaining to Juglandaceae, a family of trees that contains some of the host plants for the species.

Pronunciation

Ah-MOR-fuh Joo-GLAN-diss

Documented Occurrences

This map shows the verified sightings of the White-lined Sphinx moth in Indiana. All sightings were confirmed through photographic documentation by individuals who contributed to the Great American IN Nature Lepidoptera Project (GAIN LP).

GAIN LP Sightings

Date	County	Observer	Notes	Image1	Image2
2019-07-28	Rush	Dawson, Shannon	Adult
2019-07-27	Brown	Arens, Kathy	Adult
2019-07-25	Greene	Broadwater, Austin	Adult
2019-07-20	Hendricks	Stonebraker, Dustin	Adult
2019-07-20	Monroe	Coots, Meredith	Adult
2019-07-18	Jefferson	Johnson, Stefan	Adult
2019-07-12	Clark	Megenity, Tresa	Adult
2019-07-09	Hamilton	McCord, Dan	Adult
2019-07-06	Fayette	English, Philip	Adult Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary
2019-07-05	Fayette	Broadwater, Austin	Adult

Observation Details	Images
Date: 2019-07-28 County: Rush Observer: Dawson, Shannon Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-07-27 County: Brown Observer: Arens, Kathy Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-07-25 County: Greene Observer: Broadwater, Austin Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-07-20 County: Hendricks Observer: Stonebraker, Dustin Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-07-20 County: Monroe Observer: Coots, Meredith Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-07-18 County: Jefferson Observer: Johnson, Stefan Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-07-12 County: Clark Observer: Megenity, Tresa Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-07-09 County: Hamilton Observer: McCord, Dan Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-07-06 County: Fayette Observer: English, Philip Notes: Adult Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary
Date: 2019-07-05 County: Fayette Observer: Broadwater, Austin Notes: Adult

Amorpha juglandis Sightings by Month

Notes

The Walnut Sphinx caterpillar makes a whistling noise when distrubed and will thrash back and forth defensively.

Conservation Status

• Global status: G5 (secure)
• National status: N5 (secure)
• Indiana status: NR (not ranked)

Floral Associates

Walnut Sphinx caterpillars host on a variety of trees within the Order Fagales, including Black Walnut (Juglans nigra), and White Walnut aka Butternut (Juglans cinerea). Adults do not feed.

Known Larval Food Sources in Indiana
Family	Taxonomic Name	Common Name
Order: Fagales
Betulaceae	Alnus spp.	alders
	Betula spp.	birches
	Carpinus caroliniana	musclewood, aka blue beech
	Corylus americana	American hazelnut
	Ostrya virginiana	hop-hornbeam, aka ironwood
Fagaceae	Fagus grandifolia	American beech
Juglandaceae	Carya spp.	hickories
	Juglans spp.	black walnut and butternut