Deidamia inscriptum — Lettered Sphinx

(Harris, 1839)

Hodges# 7871

Etymology

Deidamia: In Greek mythology, Deidamia was the lover of Achilles, mother of Neoptolemus, and daughter of King Lycomedes.

Inscriptum: Inscriptum is a Latin word meaning “written on” or “inscribed.”

Pronunciation

dee-uh-DAY-mee-uh In-SCRIPT-um

Documented Occurrences

This map shows the confirmed sightings of the Lettered 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
2021-04-05	Hamilton	McCord, Dan	Adult
2020-08-08	Marion	Slayton, Deborah	Adult
2020-06-02	LaPorte	Raubynn, Pea	Adult
2020-06-02	LaPorte	Raubynn, Pea	Adult
2020-06-02	Lake	Welton, Rick	Adult
2020-06-02	Lake	Welton, Rick	Adult
2020-06-01	Hamilton	McCord, Dan	Adult
2020-06-01	Porter	Erdelles, Dawn	Adult
2020-05-31	Elkhart	Montecalvo, Jan	Adult
2020-05-31	Elkhart	Montecalvo, Jan	Adult

Observation Details	Images
Date: 2021-04-05 County: Hamilton Observer: McCord, Dan Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-08-08 County: Marion Observer: Slayton, Deborah Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-06-02 County: LaPorte Observer: Raubynn, Pea Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-06-02 County: LaPorte Observer: Raubynn, Pea Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-06-02 County: Lake Observer: Welton, Rick Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-06-02 County: Lake Observer: Welton, Rick Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-06-01 County: Hamilton Observer: McCord, Dan Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-06-01 County: Porter Observer: Erdelles, Dawn Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-05-31 County: Elkhart Observer: Montecalvo, Jan Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-05-31 County: Elkhart Observer: Montecalvo, Jan Notes: Adult

Deidamia inscriptum Sightings by Month

Notes

The Lettered Sphnix is typically the first sphinx species of the season in Indiana; often being in April through June.

Conservation Status

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

Floral Associates

Lettered Sphinx caterpillars are fairly specialized feeders, only eating from four known genera of plants. Adult moths feed upon nectar.

Known Larval Food Sources in Indiana
Family	Taxonomic Name	Common Name
Order: Ericales
Ebenaceae	Oxydendrum arboreum	sourwood
Order: Vitales
Vitaceae	Ampelopsis spp.	peppervine, aka porcelainberry
	Parthenocissus spp.	Virginia creeper and woodbine
	Vitis spp.	grapes