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Adult — Owen County (Rick Malad)
An Indiana Native

Smerinthus jamaicensis — Twin-spotted Sphinx

(Drury, 1773)

jamaicensis Species Smerinthus Genus Smerinthini Tribe Smerinthinae Subfamily Family Sphingidae Bombycoidea Superfamily Order Lepidoptera Insecta Class Hexapoda Subphylum Phylum Arthropoda Kingdom Animalia
jamaicensis Species Smerinthus Genus Smerinthini Tribe Smerinthinae Subfamily Family Sphingidae Bombycoidea Superfamily Order Lepidoptera Insecta Class Hexapoda Subphylum Phylum Arthropoda Kingdom Animalia

Hodges# 7821

Etymology

Smerinthus: (S)merinthos is a Greek word meaning a “cord” or “string”.

Jamaicensis: A reference to Jamaica, the location the moth was likely originally described.

Pronunciation

Smeer-in-thuhs jah-may-KEN-sihs

Adult — Owen County (Rick Malad)

Documented Occurrences

This map shows the confirmed sightings of the Twin-spotted Sphinx moth in Indiana. All sightings were confirmed through photographic documentation by individuals who contributed to the Great American IN Nature Lepidoptera Project (GAIN LP).

species present icon GAIN LP
documented
in county.

GAIN LP Sightings

Date County Observer Notes Image1 Image2
2023-06-07 Owen Pettigrew, Laura
2023-06-05 Owen Pettigrew, Laura
2023-05-27 Newton Jaskula, Jeanette
2021-07-23 Newton Jaskula, Jeanette Adult
2020-06-06 Newton Welton, Rick Adult
2020-06-06 Newton Welton, Rick Adult
2020-06-06 Newton Welton, Rick Adult
2020-06-06 Newton Welton, Rick Adult
2020-06-06 Newton Welton, Rick Adult
2020-06-05 Newton Welton, Rick Adult
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Observation Details Images
Date: 2023-06-07
County: Owen
Observer: Pettigrew, Laura
Notes:
Date: 2023-06-05
County: Owen
Observer: Pettigrew, Laura
Notes:
Date: 2023-05-27
County: Newton
Observer: Jaskula, Jeanette
Notes:
Date: 2021-07-23
County: Newton
Observer: Jaskula, Jeanette
Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-06-06
County: Newton
Observer: Welton, Rick
Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-06-06
County: Newton
Observer: Welton, Rick
Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-06-06
County: Newton
Observer: Welton, Rick
Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-06-06
County: Newton
Observer: Welton, Rick
Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-06-06
County: Newton
Observer: Welton, Rick
Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-06-05
County: Newton
Observer: Welton, Rick
Notes: Adult
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Smerinthus jamaicensis Sightings by Month

Conservation Status

Floral Associates

Twin-spotted Sphinx caterpillars host on a variety of trees. Adults do not feed.


Known Larval Food Sources in Indiana
Family Taxonomic Name Common Name
Order: Fagales
BetulaceaeBetula spp.birches
Carpinus carolinianamusclewood, aka blue beech
Ostrya virginianahop-hornbeam, aka ironwood
FagaceaeQuercus spp.oaks
Order: Lamiales
OleaceaeFraxinus spp.ashes
Order: Malvales
TiliaceaeTilia americanaAmerican basswood
Order: Rosales
RosaceaeMalus spp.apples and crabapples
Prunus spp.cherries
Spirea spp.meadowsweets
UlmaceaeUlmus spp.elms
Order: Salicales
SalicaceaePopulus spp.poplars
Salix spp.willows