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
2020-06-03	Boone	Holdman, Stephanie	Adult
2020-06-03	Boone	Holdman, Stephanie	Adult
2020-06-03	Boone	Holdman, Stephanie	Adult
2020-06-01	Wayne	Jordan, Neil	Adult
2020-06-01	LaGrange	Selzer, Doug	Adult
2020-06-01	LaGrange	Selzer, Doug	Adult
2020-05-15	Hamilton	Guerriero, Marsha	Adult
2019-07-25	Marion	Miller, Ben	Adult
2019-06-24	Madison	Smith, Dean	Adult
2019-06-02	Allen	Richards, Meg	Adult

Observation Details	Images
Date: 2020-06-03 County: Boone Observer: Holdman, Stephanie Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-06-03 County: Boone Observer: Holdman, Stephanie Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-06-03 County: Boone Observer: Holdman, Stephanie Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-06-01 County: Wayne Observer: Jordan, Neil Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-06-01 County: LaGrange Observer: Selzer, Doug Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-06-01 County: LaGrange Observer: Selzer, Doug Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-05-15 County: Hamilton Observer: Guerriero, Marsha Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-07-25 County: Marion Observer: Miller, Ben Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-06-24 County: Madison Observer: Smith, Dean Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-06-02 County: Allen Observer: Richards, Meg 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