Sphinx gordius — Apple Sphinx Moth

(Cramer, 1780)

Hodges# 7810

Etymology

Sphinx: Named for the resemblance of the caterpillars to an Egyptian Sphinx.

gordius: Gordius was the King of the ancient city of Phrygia and was fabled to be the maker of the complex, Gordian knot.

Pronunciation

Sfinks gor-dye-uhs

Documented Occurrences

This map shows the confirmed sightings of the apple sphinx in Indiana. All sightings were confirmed through photographic documentation by individuals who contributed to the Great American IN Nature Lepidoptera Project (GAIN LP).

Documented North American Sightings as of 10/17/2020

GAIN LP Sightings

Date	County	Observer	Notes	Image1	Image2
2020-06-06	Newton	Welton, Rick	Adult
2020-06-06	Newton	Welton, Rick	Adult
2020-06-06	Newton	Welton, Rick	Adult
2020-06-06	Newton	Welton, Rick	Adult

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: 2020-06-06 County: Newton Observer: Welton, Rick Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-06-06 County: Newton Observer: Welton, Rick Notes: Adult

Sphinx gordius Sightings by Month

Floral Associates

Apple sphinx caterpillars feed on crabapple (Malus spp.), ash (Fraxinus spp.), rose (Rosa spp.), and blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) primarily. They have also been documented feeding on birches (Betula spp.).

Known Larval Food Sources in Indiana
Family	Taxonomic Name	Common Name
Order: Ericales
Ericaceae	Vaccinium spp.	blueberries
Order: Fagales
Betulaceae	Betula spp.	birches
Order: Lamiales
Oleaceae	Fraxinus spp.	ashes
Order: Rosales
Rosaceae	Malus spp.	apples and crabapples
	Rosa spp.	roses
	Spiraea alba	meadowsweet