Hyles lineata — White-lined Sphinx

(Fabricius, 1775)

Hodges# 7894

Etymology

Hyles: Hyles was a Greek centaur who fought against the Lapiths.

Lineata: Latin for “line,” which describes the white lines present on adult moths.

Pronunciation

Hy-lees lin-ee-A-tuh

Other Common Names

Purslane Caterpillar

Documented Occurrences

This map shows the confirmed sightings of the White-lined Sphinx moth 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
2024-09-12	Boone	Jaskula, Jeanette
2024-06-29	Lake	Halon, Joelle
2024-05-07	Allen	Eller, Karen
2023-09-21	Marion	Schwedler, Kat
2023-09-21	Marion	Schwedler, Kat
2023-09-21	Marion	Schwedler, Kat
2023-09-21	Marion	Schwedler, Kat
2023-09-21	Marion	Schwedler, Kat
2023-09-21	Marion	Schwedler, Kat
2023-09-21	Marion	Schwedler, Kat

Observation Details	Images
Date: 2024-09-12 County: Boone Observer: Jaskula, Jeanette Notes:
Date: 2024-06-29 County: Lake Observer: Halon, Joelle Notes:
Date: 2024-05-07 County: Allen Observer: Eller, Karen Notes:
Date: 2023-09-21 County: Marion Observer: Schwedler, Kat Notes:
Date: 2023-09-21 County: Marion Observer: Schwedler, Kat Notes:
Date: 2023-09-21 County: Marion Observer: Schwedler, Kat Notes:
Date: 2023-09-21 County: Marion Observer: Schwedler, Kat Notes:
Date: 2023-09-21 County: Marion Observer: Schwedler, Kat Notes:
Date: 2023-09-21 County: Marion Observer: Schwedler, Kat Notes:
Date: 2023-09-21 County: Marion Observer: Schwedler, Kat Notes:

Hyles lineata Sightings by Month

Conservation Status

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

Floral Associates

White-lined Sphinx caterpillars are fairly generalistic feeders that are able to utilize a variety of trees, shrubs, vines and herbaceous plants including several garden and agricultural species. Adults nectar from flowers.

Known Larval Food Sources in Indiana
Family	Taxonomic Name	Common Name
Order: Asterales
Asteraceae	Erigeron spp.	fleabanes
	Lactuca spp.	Lettuce
Order: Brassicales
Brassicaceae	Brassica spp.	mustards
Order: Caryophyllales
Amaranthaceae	Amaranthus spp.	amaranths
	Chenopodium spp.	goosefoots
	Salsola tragus	prickly Russian thistle
Caryophyllaceae	Stellaria spp.	chickweeds
Nyctaginaceae	Mirabilis spp.	four-o'clocks
Polygonaceae	Eriogonum annuum	annual buckwheat
Polygonaceae	Fagopyrum esculentum	common buckwheat
Polygonaceae	Polygonum spp.	knotweeds and smartweeds
	Rumex spp.	docks
Portulacaceae	Portulaca spp.	purslanes
Order: Cucurbitales
Cucurbitaceae	Citrullus lanatus	watermelon
	Cucumis spp.	cucumbers and melons
Order: Dipsicales
Adoxaceae	Sambucus spp.	elderberries
Caprifoliaceae	Lonicera spp.	honeysuckles
Order: Ericales
Ericaceae	Rhododendron spp.	azaleas and rhododendrons
Order: Fabales
Fabaceae	Pisum sativum	garden pea
Order: Gentianales
Rubiaceae	Galium spp.	bedstraw
Order: Lamiales
Oleaceae	Syringa spp.	lilacs
Plantaginaceae	Plantago spp.	plantains
Order: Myrtales
Onagraceae	Clarkia spp.	clarkia
	Epilobium spp.	willowherbs
	Oenothera spp.	primroses
Order: Rosales
Rosaceae	Malus spp.	apples and crabapples
	Prunus spp.	cherries
	Pyrus spp.	pears
	Rosa spp.	roses
	Rubus spp.	blackberries, dewberries, and raspberries
Ulmaceae	Ulmus spp.	elms
Order: Salicales
Salicaceae	Salix spp.	willows
Order: Saxifragales
Grossulariaceae	Ribes spp.	currants and gooseberries
Order: Solanales
Convolvulaceae	Ipomoea spp.	morning glories
Solanaceae	Solanum spp.	nightshades
Order: Vitales
Vitaceae	Parthenocissus spp.	Virginia creeper and woodbine
	Vitis spp.	grapes