Ceratomia: Combines the Greek words cero meaning “horn” and tomia meaning “to cut.”
Undulosa: Combines the Latin word unda meaning “wave” and osa meaning “pertaining to.” This is likely in reference to the wavy look of this moth.
Pronunciation
Seer-a-TOHM-ee-uh UN-dyu-LOS-uh
Documented Occurrences
This map shows the confirmed sightings of the Waved Sphinx in Indiana. All sightings were confirmed through photographic documentation by individuals who contributed to the Great American IN Nature Lepidoptera Project (GAIN LP).
Reasons: “This seems to be by a substantial margin the most common of the North American ash-feeding Sphinginae, and it is among those that can persist on urban street trees. However, as with all of the ash-feeding Sphinginae this rank does not account for possible impacts of the emerald Ash Borer and reflects merely current status as of about 2011. Unless that pest is controlled this will be among the several Sphinginae that will be drastically reduced and may be at risk of extinction by the mid 2000s.”
National status: N5 (secure)
Indiana status: NR (not ranked)
Floral Associates
The Waved Sphinx caterpillars host on a small variety of trees, but specifically prefer members of Olive (Oleaceae) family which includes Ashes and Lilacs in Indiana. Adult moths mostly like do not feed.
Known Larval Food Sources in Indiana
Family
Taxonomic Name
Common Name
Order: Fabales
Fabaceae
Robinia spp.
locusts
Order: Fagales
Fagaceae
Quercus spp.
oaks
Order: Lamiales
Bignoniaceae
Campsis radicans
trumpetcreeper
Oleaceae
Chionanthus virginicus
fringetree
Fraxinus spp.
ashes
Ligustrum spp.
privets
Syringa spp.
lilacs
Order: Rosales
Rosaceae
Crataegus spp.
hawthorns
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