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
2019-07-25	Elkhart	Peterson, Pamela	Caterpillar
2019-07-12	Monroe	Setze, Tracey	Adult
2019-07-06	Hancock	Martin, Dylan	Adult
2019-06-30	Porter	Joll, Chris	Adult
2018-08-22	Hamilton	Warner, Leslie	Caterpillar
2018-06-16	Elkhart	Gull, Carla	Adult
2017-07-17	Marion	Frain, Barbara	Adult
2017-07-02	Porter	Joll, Chris	Adult

Observation Details	Images
Date: 2019-07-25 County: Elkhart Observer: Peterson, Pamela Notes: Caterpillar
Date: 2019-07-12 County: Monroe Observer: Setze, Tracey Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-07-06 County: Hancock Observer: Martin, Dylan Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-06-30 County: Porter Observer: Joll, Chris Notes: Adult
Date: 2018-08-22 County: Hamilton Observer: Warner, Leslie Notes: Caterpillar
Date: 2018-06-16 County: Elkhart Observer: Gull, Carla Notes: Adult
Date: 2017-07-17 County: Marion Observer: Frain, Barbara Notes: Adult
Date: 2017-07-02 County: Porter Observer: Joll, Chris Notes: Adult

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