Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
First described in 1777 by
Pieter Cramer as
Sphinx nessus. This name was invalid, because
Dru Drury had already used it for another species in 1773. Both Cramer's and Drury's "Sphinx nessus" were moved to different genera, but that makes no difference as far as the rules are concerned.
The only valid name available as a replacement is
floridensis, which
B.P. Clark had used in 1920 to describe a proposed subspecies.
Amphion nessus
Amphion nesus
Amphion floridensis
Explanation of Names
Nessus, the original specific epithet, and still used as a common name, is from Greek mythology. Quoting from Wikipedia--
Nessus (mythology):
In Greek mythology, Nessus (Greek: Νεσσος) was a famous centaur who was killed by Heracles, and whose tainted blood in turn killed Heracles. He was the son of Ixion and Nephele, the Cloud. He fought in the battle with the Lapiths. He became a ferryman on the river Euenos.
Range
eastern United States and Canada, west to Alberta, common
(1)Season
adults fly April-July in the north, 2 broods in the south
(1)Food
Larvae feed on Ampelopsis, grape, and cayenne pepper. Adults nectar at flowers during the day and at dusk:
Remarks
Covell notes that this was formerly known as
A. nessus and calls it
A. floridensis (1), but the more recent Arnett still reflects
A. nessus (2).
Internet References
Moth Photographers Group - photos of living and pinned adults.
De uitlandische Kapellen, v.2, p.16 Pieter Kramer's original description of the species (in Dutch and French). 2 pages before, on Plate CVII/107, fig.D, is an illustration of the adult moth.
Proceedings of the New England Zoölogical Club,v.7, p.73 Clark's description, which is the first use of the name floridensis for this species.
