Sphecodina abbottii — Abbott's Sphinx

(Swainson, 1821)

Hodges# 7870

Etymology

Sphecodina: Unknown

Abbottii: Named for John Abbott (1751-1840), a well known American naturalist who focused on ornithology and entomology.

Pronunciation

Sfec-ODE-in-uh Ah-bot-ee-eye

Documented Occurrences

This map shows the confirmed sightings of the Abbott's 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
2021-05-24	Hamilton	McCord, Dan	Adult
2021-05-24	Hamilton	McCord, Dan	Adult
2021-05-24	Hamilton	McCord, Dan	Adult
2021-05-08	Jefferson	Holbrook, Brenda	Adult
2021-05-08	Jefferson	Holbrook, Brenda	Adult
2021-05-08	Jefferson	Holbrook, Brenda	Adult
2021-05-08	Jefferson	Holbrook, Brenda	Adult
2021-04-27	Scott	Lowry, Brian	Adult
2021-04-26	Scott	Lowry, Brian	Adult
2021-04-14	Vanderburgh	Morris, Isaac	Adult

Observation Details	Images
Date: 2021-05-24 County: Hamilton Observer: McCord, Dan Notes: Adult
Date: 2021-05-24 County: Hamilton Observer: McCord, Dan Notes: Adult
Date: 2021-05-24 County: Hamilton Observer: McCord, Dan Notes: Adult
Date: 2021-05-08 County: Jefferson Observer: Holbrook, Brenda Notes: Adult
Date: 2021-05-08 County: Jefferson Observer: Holbrook, Brenda Notes: Adult
Date: 2021-05-08 County: Jefferson Observer: Holbrook, Brenda Notes: Adult
Date: 2021-05-08 County: Jefferson Observer: Holbrook, Brenda Notes: Adult
Date: 2021-04-27 County: Scott Observer: Lowry, Brian Notes: Adult
Date: 2021-04-26 County: Scott Observer: Lowry, Brian Notes: Adult
Date: 2021-04-14 County: Vanderburgh Observer: Morris, Isaac Notes: Adult

Sphecodina abbottii Sightings by Month

Notes

This moth makes a buzzing noise, mimicking a bee as it feeds which, is thought to be a defensive mechanism to avoid predation.

Conservation Status

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

Floral Associates

Abbott's Sphinx caterpillars are primarily specialists of plants in the Grape (Vitaceae) family, but one source also lists Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) as a host species. Adults nectar from flowers, tree sap, and nutrient puddles.

Known Larval Food Sources in Indiana
Family	Taxonomic Name	Common Name
Order: Rosales
Rosaceae	Crataegus spp.	hawthorns
Order: Vitales
Vitaceae	Ampelopsis spp.	peppervine, aka porcelainberry
	Parthenocissus spp.	Virginia creeper and woodbine
	Vitis spp.	grapes