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Dark-colored adult — Elkhart County (Carla Gull)
Lighter-colored adult — Porter County (Chris Joll)
Side view of an adult — Porter County (Chris Joll)
View of the head and antennae of an adult — Porter County (Chris Joll)
Caterpillar — Hamilton County (Lesile Warner)
Caterpillar — Elkhart County (Pamela Peterson)
An Indiana Native

Ceratomia amyntor — Elm Sphinx

(Geyer, 1835)

amyntor Species Ceratomia Genus Sphingini Tribe Sphinginae Subfamily Family Sphingidae Bombycoidea Superfamily Order Lepidoptera Insecta Class Hexapoda Subphylum Phylum Arthropoda Kingdom Animalia
amyntor Species Ceratomia Genus Sphingini Tribe Sphinginae Subfamily Family Sphingidae Bombycoidea Superfamily Order Lepidoptera Insecta Class Hexapoda Subphylum Phylum Arthropoda Kingdom Animalia

Hodges# 7786

Etymology

Ceratomia: Combines the Greek words cero meaning “horn” and tomia meaning “to cut.”

Amyntor: A Greek word meaning “defender.”

Pronunciation

Seer-a-TOHM-ee-uh ah-MIN-tor

Other Common Names

Four-Horned Sphinx

Dark-colored adult — Elkhart County (Carla Gull)
Lighter-colored adult — Porter County (Chris Joll)
Side view of an adult — Porter County (Chris Joll)
View of the head and antennae of an adult — Porter County (Chris Joll)
Caterpillar — Hamilton County (Lesile Warner)
Caterpillar — Elkhart County (Pamela Peterson)

Documented Occurrences

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

species present icon GAIN LP
documented
in county.

GAIN LP Sightings

Date County Observer Notes Image1 Image2
2024-06-29 Lake Halon, Joelle
2024-06-15 Fayette Jaskula, Jeanette
2024-06-13 Porter Joll, Chris
2023-09-08 Porter Joll, Chris
2023-09-08 Porter Joll, Chris
2023-09-08 Porter Joll, Chris
2023-06-24 Owen Pettigrew, Laura
2022-09-15 Porter Howe, Shannon
2022-09-15 Porter Howe, Shannon
2022-09-15 Porter Howe, Shannon
1   2   3   4   5       Next
Observation Details Images
Date: 2024-06-29
County: Lake
Observer: Halon, Joelle
Notes:
Date: 2024-06-15
County: Fayette
Observer: Jaskula, Jeanette
Notes:
Date: 2024-06-13
County: Porter
Observer: Joll, Chris
Notes:
Date: 2023-09-08
County: Porter
Observer: Joll, Chris
Notes:
Date: 2023-09-08
County: Porter
Observer: Joll, Chris
Notes:
Date: 2023-09-08
County: Porter
Observer: Joll, Chris
Notes:
Date: 2023-06-24
County: Owen
Observer: Pettigrew, Laura
Notes:
Date: 2022-09-15
County: Porter
Observer: Howe, Shannon
Notes:
Date: 2022-09-15
County: Porter
Observer: Howe, Shannon
Notes:
Date: 2022-09-15
County: Porter
Observer: Howe, Shannon
Notes:
1   2   3   4   5       Next

Ceratomia amyntor Sightings by Month

Notes

The Elm Sphinx caterpillar assumes the typical sphinx-like posture with its head and true-legs reared back above its abdomen in a defensive posture when resting and especially when agitated.

Conservation Status

Floral Associates

Elm Sphinx caterpillars host on a small variety of trees, but specifically American Basswood (Tilia americana) and the Elm (Ulmus) genus. Adults likely do not feed.


Known Larval Food Sources in Indiana
Family Taxonomic Name Common Name
Order: Fabales
FabaceaeRobinia spp.locusts
Order: Fagales
BetulaceaeBetula spp.birches
FagaceaeFagus grandifoliaAmerican beech
Quercus spp.oaks
Order: Lamiales
OleaceaeFraxinus spp.ashes
Order: Malvales
TiliaceaeTilia americanaAmerican basswood
Order: Rosales
RosaceaePrunus spp.cherries
UlmaceaeUlmus spp.elms