Sphinx kalmiae — Laurel Sphinx

J.E. Smith 1797

Hodges# 7809

Etymology

Sphinx: Named for the resemblence of the caterpillars to an Egyptian Sphinx.

Kalmiae: Named for the famous Swedish botanist Pehr (Peter) Kalm who was one of the Apostles of Linnaeus, a group of students approved and chosen by Carl Linnaeus to assist him on zoological and botanical collections throughout the world. Linnaeus eventually named the genus Kalmia, commmonly called Laurels, for Peter Kalm.

Pronunciation

Sfinks Kal-my-ee

Other Common Names

Fawn Sphinx

Documented Occurrences

This map shows the confirmed sightings of the Laurel 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
2020-08-15	Scott	Lowry, Brian	Adult
2019-08-20	Cass	Grenert, Allison	Adult
2019-08-17	Porter	Welton, Rick	Adult
2019-08-15	Dubois	Rickelman, Sandra	Adult
2019-08-07	Marion	Nohr, Ricky	Adult
2019-07-26	Owen	McKinney, Amber	Adult
2019-07-19	St. Joseph	Bourdon, Mike	Adult at Rum Village Park
2019-07-01	Marion	Attwood, River	Adult
2019-05-24	Brown	Pollock, Michele	Adult
2018-09-02	Scott	Lowry, Brian	Caterpillar

Observation Details	Images
Date: 2020-08-15 County: Scott Observer: Lowry, Brian Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-08-20 County: Cass Observer: Grenert, Allison Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-08-17 County: Porter Observer: Welton, Rick Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-08-15 County: Dubois Observer: Rickelman, Sandra Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-08-07 County: Marion Observer: Nohr, Ricky Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-07-26 County: Owen Observer: McKinney, Amber Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-07-19 County: St. Joseph Observer: Bourdon, Mike Notes: Adult at Rum Village Park
Date: 2019-07-01 County: Marion Observer: Attwood, River Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-05-24 County: Brown Observer: Pollock, Michele Notes: Adult
Date: 2018-09-02 County: Scott Observer: Lowry, Brian Notes: Caterpillar

Sphinx kalmiae Sightings by Month

Conservation Status

• Global status: G5 (secure)

Reasons: “This species is still common in much of its range and while it did decline in the northeastern US like most large summer caterpillars in the mid 20th century, it did not disappear. As of 2013 it is not rare from New Jersey westward. However, as with all of the ash-feeding Sphingidae this rank does not account for possible impacts of the emerald Ash Borer. Unless that pest is controlled this will be among the several Sphingidae that will be drastically reduced and may be at risk of extinction in the next few decades. Rank Calculator also gives a rank of G5. for now this moth is secure in most or all of its range.”

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

Floral Associates

Laurel Sphinx caterpillars feed on a variety of trees and shrubs including their namesake Laurels (Kalmia spp.), but they are said to be being particularly fond of plants in the Olive (Oleaceae) family.

Adult moths feed on nectar.

Known Larval Food Sources in Indiana
Family	Taxonomic Name	Common Name
Order: Aquifoliales
Aquifoliaceae	Ilex spp.	hollies
Order: Dipsicales
Caprifoliaceae	Diervilla spp.	honeysuckles
Order: Ericales
Ericaceae	Gaylussacia spp.	huckleberries
	Kalmia latifiolia	mountain laurel
	Rhododendron spp.	azaleas and rhododendrons
Order: Fagales
Betulaceae	Betula spp.	birches
Order: Lamiales
Oleaceae	Chionanthus virginicus	fringetree
	Fraxinus spp.	ashes
	Ligustrum spp.	privets
	Syringa spp.	lilacs
Order: Rosales
Rosaceae	Malus spp.	apples and crabapples
	Prunus spp.	cherries
Order: Salicales
Salicaceae	Populus spp.	poplars