Sphingicampa bisecta

Adult male — Hamilton County (Dan McCord)

Adult male (hindwings) — Hamilton County (Dan McCord)

An Indiana Native

Sphingicampa bisecta — Bisected Honey Locust Moth

(Lintner, 1879)

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 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.

Documented record(s)

Conservation Status — NatureServe Rankings

Secure 5: Secure 4: Apparently secure 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.

Family	Taxonomic Name	Common Name
Known Larval Food Sources in Indiana
Order: Fabales
Fabaceae	Gleditsia 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 21 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

Earliest live adult: Suzanna Hendrix, Washington County on 15 May 2023
Latest live adult observation: Laura Pettigrew, Owen County on 14 August 2023

Total Sightings by Year

Total Number of observations (all years combined): 19
Number of field observers: 10

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).