Darapsa choerilus — Azalea Sphinx

(Cramer, 1779)

Hodges# 7886

Etymology

Darapsa: Unknown, but possibly named for a city of the same name in the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom.

Choerilus: Was a Greek epic poet of the 5th century.

Pronunciation

Duh-ROP-suh Cho-er-ILL-us

Documented Occurrences

This map shows the confirmed sightings of the Azalea 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
2023-07-31	Boone	Jaskula, Jeanette
2023-07-28	Newton	Jaskula, Jeanette
2023-07-22	Fayette	Kant, Nancy
2023-07-18	Porter	Joll, Chris
2023-06-23	Hamilton	McCord, Dan
2022-07-20	Hamilton	McCord, Dan
2022-07-16	Newton	Joll, Chris
2022-06-02	Boone	Jaskula, Jeanette	Adult
2021-08-07	Porter	Joll, Chris	Adult
2021-07-27	Kosciusko	DelVecchio, Georgann	Adult

Observation Details	Images
Date: 2023-07-31 County: Boone Observer: Jaskula, Jeanette Notes:
Date: 2023-07-28 County: Newton Observer: Jaskula, Jeanette Notes:
Date: 2023-07-22 County: Fayette Observer: Kant, Nancy Notes:
Date: 2023-07-18 County: Porter Observer: Joll, Chris Notes:
Date: 2023-06-23 County: Hamilton Observer: McCord, Dan Notes:
Date: 2022-07-20 County: Hamilton Observer: McCord, Dan Notes:
Date: 2022-07-16 County: Newton Observer: Joll, Chris Notes:
Date: 2022-06-02 County: Boone Observer: Jaskula, Jeanette Notes: Adult
Date: 2021-08-07 County: Porter Observer: Joll, Chris Notes: Adult
Date: 2021-07-27 County: Kosciusko Observer: DelVecchio, Georgann Notes: Adult

Darapsa choerilus Sightings by Month

Conservation Status

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

Floral Associates

As their name implies, Azalea Sphinx Moth caterpillars are specialized feeders; particularly of the foliage of plants in the Heath (Ericaceae) family. Adult moths feed upon nectar.

Known Larval Food Sources in Indiana
Family	Taxonomic Name	Common Name
Order: Dipsacales
Valerianaceae	Valeriana spp.	valerian
Order: Dipsicales
Adoxaceae	Viburnum spp.	viburnums
Order: Ericales
Ericaceae	Rhododendron spp.	azaleas and rhododendrons