Darapsa myron — Virginia Creeper Sphinx

(Cramer, 1779)

Hodges# 7885

Etymology

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

Myron: Was a Greek sculptor of the 5th century whose name was used to mean perfumed oil.

Pronunciation

Duh-ROP-suh MY-ron

Other Common Names

Grapevine Sphinx and Hog Sphinx

Documented Occurrences

This map shows the confirmed sightings of the Virginia Creeper 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
2021-07-21	Porter	Lowry, Brian	Adult
2021-07-18	Hamilton	Kant, Nancy	Adult
2021-07-17	Brown	Byers, Ronda	Adult
2021-07-17	Brown	Byers, Ronda	Adult
2021-07-17	Brown	Byers, Ronda	Adult
2021-07-09	Monroe	Engbrecht, Nate	Adult
2021-07-09	Marion	Jones, Emily	Adult
2021-07-05	Scott	Lowry, Brian	Adult
2021-06-28	Hamilton	Kant, Nancy	Adult
2021-06-27	Lake	Halon, Joelle	Adult

Observation Details	Images
Date: 2021-07-21 County: Porter Observer: Lowry, Brian Notes: Adult
Date: 2021-07-18 County: Hamilton Observer: Kant, Nancy Notes: Adult
Date: 2021-07-17 County: Brown Observer: Byers, Ronda Notes: Adult
Date: 2021-07-17 County: Brown Observer: Byers, Ronda Notes: Adult
Date: 2021-07-17 County: Brown Observer: Byers, Ronda Notes: Adult
Date: 2021-07-09 County: Monroe Observer: Engbrecht, Nate Notes: Adult
Date: 2021-07-09 County: Marion Observer: Jones, Emily Notes: Adult
Date: 2021-07-05 County: Scott Observer: Lowry, Brian Notes: Adult
Date: 2021-06-28 County: Hamilton Observer: Kant, Nancy Notes: Adult
Date: 2021-06-27 County: Lake Observer: Halon, Joelle Notes: Adult

Darapsa myron Sightings by Month

Conservation Status

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

Floral Associates

As their name implies, Virginia Creeper Sphinx caterpillars are specialists on Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), and other members of the grape (Vitaceae) family. Adult moths feed upon nectar.

Known Larval Food Sources in Indiana
Family	Taxonomic Name	Common Name
Order: Vitales
Vitaceae	Ampelopsis spp.	peppervine, aka porcelainberry
	Parthenocissus spp.	Virginia creeper and woodbine
	Vitis spp.	grapes