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
2021-07-23	Newton	Jaskula, Jeanette	Adult
2020-08-10	Scott	Lowry, Brian	Adult
2020-07-25	Scott	Lowry, Brian	Adult
2019-08-21	Kosciusko	Kreider, Jessie	Caterpillar
2019-07-25	St. Joseph	Bourdon, Mike	Adult
2019-07-21	Sevier, TN	Bachmann, Bronson	Adult
2018-08-17	St. Joseph	Sass, Steve	Adult
2018-07-20	St. Joseph	Sass, Steve	Adult
2018-05-20	Owen	Malad, Rick	Adult

Observation Details	Images
Date: 2021-07-23 County: Newton Observer: Jaskula, Jeanette Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-08-10 County: Scott Observer: Lowry, Brian Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-07-25 County: Scott Observer: Lowry, Brian Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-08-21 County: Kosciusko Observer: Kreider, Jessie Notes: Caterpillar
Date: 2019-07-25 County: St. Joseph Observer: Bourdon, Mike Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-07-21 County: Sevier, TN Observer: Bachmann, Bronson Notes: Adult
Date: 2018-08-17 County: St. Joseph Observer: Sass, Steve Notes: Adult
Date: 2018-07-20 County: St. Joseph Observer: Sass, Steve Notes: Adult
Date: 2018-05-20 County: Owen Observer: Malad, Rick 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