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
2019-07-12	St. Joseph	Davies, Kelley	Adult
2019-07-10	Hamilton	McCord, Dan	Adult
2019-07-04	Montgomery	Houghton, Kathy	Caterpillar
2019-07-03	Porter	Joll, Chris	Adult
2019-07-03	Porter	Joll, Chris	Adult
2019-07-02	Franklin	Fray, Jerry	Adult
2019-07-02	Porter	Foster, Peggy	Adult
2019-07-02	Scott	Lowry, Brian	Adult
2019-06-28	Hamilton	McCord, Dan	Adult
2019-06-28	Johnson	Cummings, JoAnne	Adult

Observation Details	Images
Date: 2019-07-12 County: St. Joseph Observer: Davies, Kelley Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-07-10 County: Hamilton Observer: McCord, Dan Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-07-04 County: Montgomery Observer: Houghton, Kathy Notes: Caterpillar
Date: 2019-07-03 County: Porter Observer: Joll, Chris Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-07-03 County: Porter Observer: Joll, Chris Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-07-02 County: Franklin Observer: Fray, Jerry Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-07-02 County: Porter Observer: Foster, Peggy Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-07-02 County: Scott Observer: Lowry, Brian Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-06-28 County: Hamilton Observer: McCord, Dan Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-06-28 County: Johnson Observer: Cummings, JoAnne 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