Adult — Switzerland County (Tara Hite)
Adult with exposed hindwings showing dark eye-spot — Owen County (Rick Malad)
Side view of an adult — Marion County (Nathan France)
Adult with a quarter for size — LaGrange County (Sam Plew
Caterpillar — Porter County (Nathaneal Pilla)
Caterpillar — Jasper County (Chris Joll)
An Indiana Native
Paonias excaecata — Blinded Sphinx
(J. E. Smith, 1797)
Hodges# 7824
Etymology
Paonias: Unknown
Excaecata: Most likely a derivative of the Latin word excaeco , meaning “to blind” because this species lacks a center pupil in the eye-spot on the hindwings.
Pronunciation
PAY-own-ee-us EX-cee-cah-tuh
Adult — Switzerland County (Tara Hite)
Adult with exposed hindwings showing dark eye-spot — Owen County (Rick Malad)
Side view of an adult — Marion County (Nathan France)
Adult with a quarter for size — LaGrange County (Sam Plew
Caterpillar — Porter County (Nathaneal Pilla)
Caterpillar — Jasper County (Chris Joll)
Documented Occurrences
This map shows the confirmed sightings of the Blinded 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 documented in county.
GAIN LP Sightings
Date
County
Observer
Notes
Image1
Image2
2024-07-27
Brown
Jaskula, Jeanette
2024-07-15
Owen
Cochran, Jess
2023-07-28
Owen
Pettigrew, Laura
2023-07-22
DeKalb
Bachmann, Bronson
2023-07-22
DeKalb
Bachmann, Bronson
2023-07-22
DeKalb
Bachmann, Bronson
2023-07-22
DeKalb
Bachmann, Bronson
2023-07-22
DeKalb
Bachmann, Bronson
2023-07-22
Fayette
Kant, Nancy
2023-06-03
Newton
Jaskula, Jeanette
Observation Details
Images
Date: 2024-07-27 County:
Brown Observer: Jaskula, Jeanette Notes:
Date: 2024-07-15 County:
Owen Observer: Cochran, Jess Notes:
Date: 2023-07-28 County:
Owen Observer: Pettigrew, Laura Notes:
Date: 2023-07-22 County:
DeKalb Observer: Bachmann, Bronson Notes:
Date: 2023-07-22 County:
DeKalb Observer: Bachmann, Bronson Notes:
Date: 2023-07-22 County:
DeKalb Observer: Bachmann, Bronson Notes:
Date: 2023-07-22 County:
DeKalb Observer: Bachmann, Bronson Notes:
Date: 2023-07-22 County:
DeKalb Observer: Bachmann, Bronson Notes:
Date: 2023-07-22 County:
Fayette Observer: Kant, Nancy Notes:
Date: 2023-06-03 County:
Newton Observer: Jaskula, Jeanette Notes:
Paonias excaecata Sightings by Month
Conservation Status
Global status: G5 (secure)
National status: N5 (secure)
Indiana status: NR (not ranked)
Floral Associates
Blinded Sphinx caterpillars host on a wide variety of trees. Adults do not feed.
Known Larval Food Sources in Indiana
Family
Taxonomic Name
Common Name
Order: Dipsicales Adoxaceae Viburnum spp.viburnums Order: Fabales Fabaceae Wisteria spp.wisterias Order: Fagales Betulaceae Betula spp.birches Carpinus caroliniana musclewood, aka blue beech Corylus americana American hazelnut Ostrya virginiana hop-hornbeam, aka ironwood Fagaceae Castanea dentata American chestnut Fagus grandifolia American beech Quercus spp.oaks Order: Lamiales Oleaceae Fraxinus spp.ashes Order: Malvales Tiliaceae Tilia americana American basswood Order: Rosales Rosaceae Amelanchier spp.serviceberries Chaenomeles speciosa Chinese quince Crataegus spp.hawthorns Malus spp.apples and crabapples Physocarpus opulifolius ninebark Prunus spp.cherries Pyrus spp.pears Rosa spp.roses Rubus spp.blackberries, dewberries, and raspberries Spirea spp.meadowsweets Ulmaceae Ulmus spp.elms Order: Salicales Salicaceae Populus spp.poplars Salix spp.willows Order: Sapindales Aceraceae Acer spp.maples