Ceratomia amyntor — Elm Sphinx

(Geyer, 1835)

Hodges# 7786

Etymology

Ceratomia: Combines the Greek words cero meaning “horn” and tomia meaning “to cut.”

Amyntor: A Greek word meaning “defender.”

Pronunciation

Seer-a-TOHM-ee-uh ah-MIN-tor

Other Common Names

Four-Horned Sphinx

Documented Occurrences

This map shows the confirmed sightings of the Elm 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
2023-09-08	Porter	Joll, Chris
2023-09-08	Porter	Joll, Chris
2023-09-08	Porter	Joll, Chris
2023-06-24	Owen	Pettigrew, Laura
2022-09-15	Porter	Howe, Shannon
2022-09-15	Porter	Howe, Shannon
2022-09-15	Porter	Howe, Shannon
2022-06-25	Porter	Joll, Chris	Adult
2022-06-22	Porter	Joll, Chris	Adult
2022-06-22	Porter	Joll, Chris	Adult

Observation Details	Images
Date: 2023-09-08 County: Porter Observer: Joll, Chris Notes:
Date: 2023-09-08 County: Porter Observer: Joll, Chris Notes:
Date: 2023-09-08 County: Porter Observer: Joll, Chris Notes:
Date: 2023-06-24 County: Owen Observer: Pettigrew, Laura Notes:
Date: 2022-09-15 County: Porter Observer: Howe, Shannon Notes:
Date: 2022-09-15 County: Porter Observer: Howe, Shannon Notes:
Date: 2022-09-15 County: Porter Observer: Howe, Shannon Notes:
Date: 2022-06-25 County: Porter Observer: Joll, Chris Notes: Adult
Date: 2022-06-22 County: Porter Observer: Joll, Chris Notes: Adult
Date: 2022-06-22 County: Porter Observer: Joll, Chris Notes: Adult

Ceratomia amyntor Sightings by Month

Notes

The Elm Sphinx caterpillar assumes the typical sphinx-like posture with its head and true-legs reared back above its abdomen in a defensive posture when resting and especially when agitated.

Conservation Status

• Global status: G5 (secure)
• National status: N4N5 (apparently secure/secure)
• Indiana status: NR (not ranked)

Floral Associates

Elm Sphinx caterpillars host on a small variety of trees, but specifically American Basswood (Tilia americana) and the Elm (Ulmus) genus. Adults likely do not feed.

Known Larval Food Sources in Indiana
Family	Taxonomic Name	Common Name
Order: Fabales
Fabaceae	Robinia spp.	locusts
Order: Fagales
Betulaceae	Betula spp.	birches
Fagaceae	Fagus grandifolia	American beech
	Quercus spp.	oaks
Order: Lamiales
Oleaceae	Fraxinus spp.	ashes
Order: Malvales
Tiliaceae	Tilia americana	American basswood
Order: Rosales
Rosaceae	Prunus spp.	cherries
Ulmaceae	Ulmus spp.	elms