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
2018-08-16	Marion	Strathmann, Jimmy	Caterpillar
2018-07-29	Marion	Olson, Ethan	Adult
2018-07-24	St. Joseph	Fey, Katrina	Adult
2018-07-01	Clark	Slaton, Robert	Adult feeding
2018-04-26	Orange	Thornton-Anderson, Carol	Adult feeding
2017-08-02	Ohio	Miller, Velda	Adult
2017-07-25	Marion	Lawson, Lori	Adult feeding
2017-07-03	Lake	Welton, Rick	Adult feeding
2017-04-14	Orange	Thornton-Anderson, Carol	Adult feeding
2014-07-26	Scott	Lowry, Brian	Adult

Observation Details	Images
Date: 2018-08-16 County: Marion Observer: Strathmann, Jimmy Notes: Caterpillar
Date: 2018-07-29 County: Marion Observer: Olson, Ethan Notes: Adult
Date: 2018-07-24 County: St. Joseph Observer: Fey, Katrina Notes: Adult
Date: 2018-07-01 County: Clark Observer: Slaton, Robert Notes: Adult feeding
Date: 2018-04-26 County: Orange Observer: Thornton-Anderson, Carol Notes: Adult feeding
Date: 2017-08-02 County: Ohio Observer: Miller, Velda Notes: Adult
Date: 2017-07-25 County: Marion Observer: Lawson, Lori Notes: Adult feeding
Date: 2017-07-03 County: Lake Observer: Welton, Rick Notes: Adult feeding
Date: 2017-04-14 County: Orange Observer: Thornton-Anderson, Carol Notes: Adult feeding
Date: 2014-07-26 County: Scott Observer: Lowry, Brian 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