Amphion floridensis — Nessus Sphinx

Clark, 1920

Hodges# 7873

Etymology

Amphion: Rooted in Greek mythology, Amphion was a musician and the son of Zeus and Antiope. Amphion and his twin brother, Zethus, built the city of Thebes with his lyre, which he used to charm the stones into place.

Floridensis: Of or from Florida. The suffix ensis is standard taxonomic nomenclature that indicates the specimen “originated from” the stated area.

Pronunciation

AM-fy-un Flor-uh-den-sis

Documented Occurrences

This map shows the verified sightings of the Nessus Sphinx 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
2024-07-18	Marion	Bingham, Kristin
2024-07-06	Lake	Welton, Rick
2023-07-04	St. Joseph	Mysore, Keshava
2023-07-04	St. Joseph	Mysore, Keshava
2023-07-04	St. Joseph	Mysore, Keshava
2023-07-04	St. Joseph	Mysore, Keshava
2023-07-04	St. Joseph	Mysore, Keshava
2023-07-04	St. Joseph	Mysore, Keshava
2023-06-20	Brown	Thomas, Kirsti
2023-06-07	St. Joseph	Castaneda, Emily

Observation Details	Images
Date: 2024-07-18 County: Marion Observer: Bingham, Kristin Notes:
Date: 2024-07-06 County: Lake Observer: Welton, Rick Notes:
Date: 2023-07-04 County: St. Joseph Observer: Mysore, Keshava Notes:
Date: 2023-07-04 County: St. Joseph Observer: Mysore, Keshava Notes:
Date: 2023-07-04 County: St. Joseph Observer: Mysore, Keshava Notes:
Date: 2023-07-04 County: St. Joseph Observer: Mysore, Keshava Notes:
Date: 2023-07-04 County: St. Joseph Observer: Mysore, Keshava Notes:
Date: 2023-07-04 County: St. Joseph Observer: Mysore, Keshava Notes:
Date: 2023-06-20 County: Brown Observer: Thomas, Kirsti Notes:
Date: 2023-06-07 County: St. Joseph Observer: Castaneda, Emily Notes:

Amphion floridensis Sightings by Month

Conservation Status

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

Floral Associates

Nessus caterpillars host on several genera of vines and other herbaceous plants host. Adult moths are day-flying feed upon nectar.

Known Larval Food Sources in Indiana
Family	Taxonomic Name	Common Name
Order: Myrtales
Onagraceae	Epilobium spp.	willowherbs
	Oenothera spp.	primroses
Order: Solinales
Solanaceae	Capsicum spp.	peppers
Order: Vitales
Vitaceae	Ampelopsis spp.	peppervine, aka porcelainberry
	Parthenocissus spp.	Virginia creeper and woodbine
	Vitis spp.	grapes