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ECOLOGY ▪ EDUCATION ▪ ADVOCACY

Adult male — Hamilton County (Dan McCord)
Adult male (hindwings) — Hamilton County (Dan McCord)
Adult female — Owen County (Rick Malad)
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Sphingicampa bisecta — Bisected Honey Locust Moth

(Lintner, 1879)

bisecta Species Sphingicampa Genus Ceratocampinae Subfamily Family Saturniidae Bombycoidea Superfamily Order Lepidoptera Insecta Class Hexapoda Subphylum Phylum Arthropoda Kingdom Animalia
bisecta Species Sphingicampa Genus Ceratocampinae Subfamily Family Saturniidae Bombycoidea Superfamily Order Lepidoptera Insecta Class Hexapoda Subphylum Phylum Arthropoda Kingdom Animalia

Hodges# 7712

Etymology

Spingicampa: Combines the Greek Sphingi for “Sphinx” with campa for “caterpillar” — likely a reference to the genera’s caterpillar’s resemblance to those of the sphinx moth family.

Bisecta: The Latin prefix bi  for “two” combined with sect  meaning “cut” combines to mean “cut in two.”

Pronunciation

sfin-jye-kam-puh bi-sek-tuh

Synonym

Syssphinx bisecta is an antiquated but still often used synonym.

Adult male — Hamilton County (Dan McCord)
Adult male (hindwings) — Hamilton County (Dan McCord)
Adult female — Owen County (Rick Malad)

Adult Size and Description

  • Wingspan: 53–75 mm (2.1–3 in)
  • Coloration and Patterning:
    • Base color of all wings varies from pale yellow to orange to yellow-brown.
    • Hindwings with a pinkish-red area of variable size
    • An antemedial line and a dark postmedial line that extends from the inner margin to the apex are distinctive for the species.
  • Sexual Dimorphism:
    • Females larger than males
    • Forewings of females peppered with small, dark spots, which are usually absent in males
    • Antennae bipectinate on males and filiform on females
  • Defense Mechanisms:
    • Crypsis — Spring brood resembles bark. Summer brood coloration presumably resembles the fruit of honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos).
    • Deimatic display — Flash coloration; when disturbed, moths reveal red hindwings to startle predators.

Range

This map illustrates documented North American records of Sphingicampa bisecta as of 13 February 2021.

species present icon Documented record(s)

Conservation Status — NatureServe Rankings

ConservationBaseMap Indiana Status National Status Global Status NR 5 5

 Secure 5: Secure  apparently secure 4: Apparently secure not ranked NR: Not ranked


Floral Associates

Sphingicampa bisecta caterpillars are the largest in Indiana. Polyphagous, they eat the foliage of several families and genera of native trees, including their namesake hickories (Carya spp.) Adults lack a digestive system, do not eat, and exist solely for reproduction.As their name implies, Bisected Honey Locust Moth caterpillars are specalists and are only known to feed from two species of trees in Indiana. Adult moths do not feed.


Known Larval Food Sources in Indiana
Family Taxonomic Name Common Name
Order: Fabales
FabaceaeGleditsia spp.water and honey locusts
Gymnocladus dioicus Kentucky coffeetree

Bisected Honey Locust Moth (Sphingicampa bisecta) in Indiana

The map, graph(s), and data below represent the Indiana sightings of Sphingicampa bisecta as of 14 November 2024, confirmed through photographic evidence by individuals who contributed to the Great American IN Nature Lepidoptera Project (GAIN LP).

Occurrences by County

Counties recorded: 9 of 92

Top counties/#of records:
Hamilton: 7
Brown: 3
Washington: 3
Owen: 2
Switzerland: 2
Johnson: 1
Jefferson: 1

species present icon GAIN LP documented in county

Sightings by Month

Total Sightings by Year

Sightings by Gender

Image Gallery

The images and records below were all submitted by individuals through the Great American Indiana Nature Lepidoptera Project (GAIN LP).