Amphion floridensis — Nessus Sphinx

Clark, 1920

Hodges# 7873

Etymology

Amphion: Rooted in Greek mythology, Amphion was a musician and the son of Zeus and Antiope. Amphion and his twin brother, Zethus, built the city of Thebes with his lyre, which he used to charm the stones into place.

Floridensis: Of or from Florida. The suffix ensis is standard taxonomic nomenclature that indicates the specimen “originated from” the stated area.

Pronunciation

AM-fy-un Flor-uh-den-sis

Documented Occurrences

This map shows the verified sightings of the Nessus Sphinx 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
2022-05-28	LaGrange	Miller, LH	Mating
2022-05-28	LaGrange	Miller, LH	Adult
2022-05-28	LaGrange	Miller, LH	Adult
2022-05-28	LaGrange	Miller, LH	Adult
2022-05-28	LaGrange	Miller, LH	Adult
2022-05-28	Lake	Halon, Joelle	Adult
2022-05-28	Lake	Halon, Joelle	Adult
2022-05-28	Lake	Halon, Joelle	Adult
2022-05-24	Whitley	Vincent, Debby	Adult
2021-04-14	Allen	McGuire, Julie	Adult

Observation Details	Images
Date: 2022-05-28 County: LaGrange Observer: Miller, LH Notes: Mating
Date: 2022-05-28 County: LaGrange Observer: Miller, LH Notes: Adult
Date: 2022-05-28 County: LaGrange Observer: Miller, LH Notes: Adult
Date: 2022-05-28 County: LaGrange Observer: Miller, LH Notes: Adult
Date: 2022-05-28 County: LaGrange Observer: Miller, LH Notes: Adult
Date: 2022-05-28 County: Lake Observer: Halon, Joelle Notes: Adult
Date: 2022-05-28 County: Lake Observer: Halon, Joelle Notes: Adult
Date: 2022-05-28 County: Lake Observer: Halon, Joelle Notes: Adult
Date: 2022-05-24 County: Whitley Observer: Vincent, Debby Notes: Adult
Date: 2021-04-14 County: Allen Observer: McGuire, Julie Notes: Adult

Amphion floridensis Sightings by Month

Conservation Status

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

Floral Associates

Nessus caterpillars host on several genera of vines and other herbaceous plants host. Adult moths are day-flying feed upon nectar.

Known Larval Food Sources in Indiana
Family	Taxonomic Name	Common Name
Order: Myrtales
Onagraceae	Epilobium spp.	willowherbs
	Oenothera spp.	primroses
Order: Solinales
Solanaceae	Capsicum spp.	peppers
Order: Vitales
Vitaceae	Ampelopsis spp.	peppervine, aka porcelainberry
	Parthenocissus spp.	Virginia creeper and woodbine
	Vitis spp.	grapes