Xylophanes tersa — Tersa Sphinx

(Linnaeus, 1771)

Hodges# 7890

Etymology

Xylophanes: Combines the Greek words xylon meaning “wood” and phanes meaning “to appear” or “appear to be.”

Tersa: Possibly from the Latin for tersa “clean,” or “neat.”

Pronunciation

ZY-lo-fains TUR-suh

Other Common Names

Fawn Sphinx

Documented Occurrences

This map shows the confirmed sightings of the Tersa 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
2018-07-10	Allen	Muntzinger, Laura	Caterpillar on (Pentas sp)
2018-07-08	Hamilton	Morgel, Tiffanie	Caterpillar
2018-07-02	Randolph	House, Jessica	Caterpillar
2018-06-16	Owen	Malad, Rick	Adult
2018-06-16	Owen	Malad, Rick	Adult

Observation Details	Images
Date: 2018-07-10 County: Allen Observer: Muntzinger, Laura Notes: Caterpillar on (Pentas sp)
Date: 2018-07-08 County: Hamilton Observer: Morgel, Tiffanie Notes: Caterpillar
Date: 2018-07-02 County: Randolph Observer: House, Jessica Notes: Caterpillar
Date: 2018-06-16 County: Owen Observer: Malad, Rick Notes: Adult
Date: 2018-06-16 County: Owen Observer: Malad, Rick Notes: Adult

Xylophanes tersa Sightings by Month

Notes

Conservation Status ??

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

Floral Associates

Tersa sphinx caterpillars are polyphagous, eating from a variety of trees, shrubs and other plants.

Known Larval Food Sources in Indiana
Family	Taxonomic Name	Common Name
Order: Ericales
Ebenaceae	Diospyros virginiana	persimmon
Order: Fabales
Fabaceae	Phaseolus polystachios	thicket bean
Order: Gentianales
Rubiaceae	Cephalanthus occidentalis	buttonbush
	Diodia spp.	buttonweeds
Order: Lamiales
Bignoniaceae	Catalpa spp.	northern and southern catalpa
Order: Malpighiales
Euphorbiaceae	Croton spp.	crotons