Aellopos titan — Titan Sphinx

(Cramer, 1777)

Hodges# 7849

Etymology

Aellopos: Rooted in Greek mythology, Aello or Aellopus was a Harpy sister. These half-human and half-bird spirits were commanded by Zeus to capture people and items from the human world in retaliation for revealing the secrets of the gods.

Titan: The Titans were a group of deities in Greek mythology.

Pronunciation

ee-loh-pohs tie-tuhn

Other Common Names

White-banded Day Sphinx

Documented Occurrences

This map shows the confirmed sightings of the titan 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

GAIN LP Sightings

Date	County	Observer	Notes	Image1	Image2
2023-07-03	Jennings	Johnson, Stefan
2023-07-03	Jennings	Johnson, Stefan
2021-09-24	Parke	Evol, Aneta
2021-09-24	Parke	Evol, Aneta
2021-09-24	Parke	Evol, Aneta
2021-09-24	Parke	Evol, Aneta
2021-09-24	Parke	Evol, Aneta
2021-09-24	Parke	Evol, Aneta
2021-08-21	Lake	Halon, Joelle	Adult
2021-08-21	Lake	Halon, Joelle	Adult

Observation Details	Images
Date: 2023-07-03 County: Jennings Observer: Johnson, Stefan Notes:
Date: 2023-07-03 County: Jennings Observer: Johnson, Stefan Notes:
Date: 2021-09-24 County: Parke Observer: Evol, Aneta Notes:
Date: 2021-09-24 County: Parke Observer: Evol, Aneta Notes:
Date: 2021-09-24 County: Parke Observer: Evol, Aneta Notes:
Date: 2021-09-24 County: Parke Observer: Evol, Aneta Notes:
Date: 2021-09-24 County: Parke Observer: Evol, Aneta Notes:
Date: 2021-09-24 County: Parke Observer: Evol, Aneta Notes:
Date: 2021-08-21 County: Lake Observer: Halon, Joelle Notes: Adult
Date: 2021-08-21 County: Lake Observer: Halon, Joelle Notes: Adult

Aellopos titan Sightings by Month

Conservation Status

• Global status: G5 (secure)
• National status: N4 (apparently secure)
• Indiana status: NR (not ranked)

Floral Associates

Titan sphinx caterpillars feed exclusively on plants in the madder (Rubiaceae) family. The only known native host plant in Indiana is buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis). Adult moths are strong day-flyers and feed upon nectar.

Known Larval Food Sources in Indiana
Family	Taxonomic Name	Common Name
Order: Gentianales
Rubiaceae	Cephalanthus occidentalis	buttonbush