Smerinthus jamaicensis — Twin-spotted Sphinx

(Drury, 1773)

Hodges# 7821

Etymology

Smerinthus: (S)merinthos is a Greek word meaning a “cord” or “string”.

Jamaicensis: A reference to Jamaica, the location the moth was likely originally described.

Pronunciation

Smeer-in-thuhs jah-may-KEN-sihs

Documented Occurrences

This map shows the confirmed sightings of the Twin-spotted 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
2020-06-06	Newton	Welton, Rick	Adult
2020-06-06	Newton	Welton, Rick	Adult
2020-06-05	Newton	Welton, Rick	Adult
2020-06-05	Newton	Welton, Rick	Adult
2020-06-05	Newton	Welton, Rick	Adult
2020-06-05	Newton	Welton, Rick	Adult
2020-06-05	Newton	Welton, Rick	Adult
2020-06-05	Newton	Welton, Rick	Adult
2020-06-05	Newton	Welton, Rick	Adult
2019-06-15	Porter	Ferguson, Cookie	Adult Indiana Dunes State Park

Observation Details	Images
Date: 2020-06-06 County: Newton Observer: Welton, Rick Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-06-06 County: Newton Observer: Welton, Rick Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-06-05 County: Newton Observer: Welton, Rick Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-06-05 County: Newton Observer: Welton, Rick Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-06-05 County: Newton Observer: Welton, Rick Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-06-05 County: Newton Observer: Welton, Rick Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-06-05 County: Newton Observer: Welton, Rick Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-06-05 County: Newton Observer: Welton, Rick Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-06-05 County: Newton Observer: Welton, Rick Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-06-15 County: Porter Observer: Ferguson, Cookie Notes: Adult Indiana Dunes State Park

Smerinthus jamaicensis Sightings by Month

Conservation Status

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

Floral Associates

Twin-spotted Sphinx caterpillars host on a variety of trees. Adults do not feed.

Known Larval Food Sources in Indiana
Family	Taxonomic Name	Common Name
Order: Fagales
Betulaceae	Betula spp.	birches
	Carpinus caroliniana	musclewood, aka blue beech
	Ostrya virginiana	hop-hornbeam, aka ironwood
Fagaceae	Quercus spp.	oaks
Order: Lamiales
Oleaceae	Fraxinus spp.	ashes
Order: Malvales
Tiliaceae	Tilia americana	American basswood
Order: Rosales
Rosaceae	Malus spp.	apples and crabapples
	Prunus spp.	cherries
	Spirea spp.	meadowsweets
Ulmaceae	Ulmus spp.	elms
Order: Salicales
Salicaceae	Populus spp.	poplars
	Salix spp.	willows