Ceratomia amyntor — Elm Sphinx

(Geyer, 1835)

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

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).

GAIN LP Sightings

Date	County	Observer	Notes	Image1	Image2
2020-07-04	Monroe	Setze, Tracey	Adult
2020-07-04	Monroe	Setze, Tracey	Adult
2020-07-04	Monroe	Setze, Tracey	Adult
2020-07-04	Monroe	Setze, Tracey	Adult
2020-07-04	Hancock	Martin, Dylan	Adult
2020-07-04	Hancock	Martin, Dylan	Adult
2020-06-24	Elkhart	Mitchell, Carole	Adult
2020-06-24	Elkhart	Mitchell, Carole	Adult
2019-08-25	Johnson	Havely, Diane	Caterpillar
2019-08-24	Allen	Danel, Grace	Caterpillar

Observation Details	Images
Date: 2020-07-04 County: Monroe Observer: Setze, Tracey Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-07-04 County: Monroe Observer: Setze, Tracey Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-07-04 County: Monroe Observer: Setze, Tracey Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-07-04 County: Monroe Observer: Setze, Tracey Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-07-04 County: Hancock Observer: Martin, Dylan Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-07-04 County: Hancock Observer: Martin, Dylan Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-06-24 County: Elkhart Observer: Mitchell, Carole Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-06-24 County: Elkhart Observer: Mitchell, Carole Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-08-25 County: Johnson Observer: Havely, Diane Notes: Caterpillar
Date: 2019-08-24 County: Allen Observer: Danel, Grace Notes: Caterpillar

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

• Global status: G5 (secure)
• National status: N4N5 (apparently secure/secure)
• Indiana status: NR (not ranked)

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
Fabaceae	Robinia spp.	locusts
Order: Fagales
Betulaceae	Betula spp.	birches
Fagaceae	Fagus grandifolia	American beech
	Quercus spp.	oaks
Order: Lamiales
Oleaceae	Fraxinus spp.	ashes
Order: Malvales
Tiliaceae	Tilia americana	American basswood
Order: Rosales
Rosaceae	Prunus spp.	cherries
Ulmaceae	Ulmus spp.	elms