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
2020-08-18	Jefferson	Johnson, Stefan	Adult
2020-08-18	Jefferson	Johnson, Stefan	Adult
2020-08-09	Porter	Joll, Chris	Adult
2020-08-09	Porter	Joll, Chris	Adult
2020-08-09	Porter	Joll, Chris	Adult
2020-07-26	Hamilton	Shallon, Natasha	Adult
2020-07-26	Hamilton	McCord, Dan	Adult
2020-07-23	Johnson	Jablonski, Barbara	Adult
2020-07-21	Scott	Lowry, Brian	Adult
2020-07-21	Scott	Lowry, Brian	Adult

Observation Details	Images
Date: 2020-08-18 County: Jefferson Observer: Johnson, Stefan Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-08-18 County: Jefferson Observer: Johnson, Stefan Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-08-09 County: Porter Observer: Joll, Chris Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-08-09 County: Porter Observer: Joll, Chris Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-08-09 County: Porter Observer: Joll, Chris Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-07-26 County: Hamilton Observer: Shallon, Natasha Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-07-26 County: Hamilton Observer: McCord, Dan Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-07-23 County: Johnson Observer: Jablonski, Barbara Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-07-21 County: Scott Observer: Lowry, Brian Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-07-21 County: Scott Observer: Lowry, Brian 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