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
2020-08-14	Johnson	Jablonski, Barbara	Adult
2020-08-11	Washington	Hendrix, Suzanna	Adult
2020-08-11	Brown	Pollock, Michele	Adult
2020-08-11	Brown	Pollock, Michele	Adult
2020-08-11	Brown	Pollock, Michele	Adult
2020-08-04	Brown	Pollock, Michele	Adult
2020-07-23	Monroe	Setze, Tracey	Adult
2020-07-21	Marion	Latta, Martha	Adult
2020-07-18	Fayette	English, Philip	Adult
2020-07-18	Newton	Welton, Rick	Adult

Observation Details	Images
Date: 2020-08-14 County: Johnson Observer: Jablonski, Barbara Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-08-11 County: Washington Observer: Hendrix, Suzanna Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-08-11 County: Brown Observer: Pollock, Michele Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-08-11 County: Brown Observer: Pollock, Michele Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-08-11 County: Brown Observer: Pollock, Michele Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-08-04 County: Brown Observer: Pollock, Michele Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-07-23 County: Monroe Observer: Setze, Tracey Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-07-21 County: Marion Observer: Latta, Martha Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-07-18 County: Fayette Observer: English, Philip Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-07-18 County: Newton Observer: Welton, Rick 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