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
2018-07-04	Lake	Scheeringa, David	Adult
2018-06-18	Hancock	Evans, Angela	Adult
2018-06-14	Marion	Lawson, Lori	Adult
2018-05-20	Owen	Malad, Rick	Adult
2017-09-17	Floyd	Durham, Hannah	Caterpillar
2017-08-14	Hamilton	Avery-Kimball, Bobby	Adult
2017-08-14	Putnam	Robertson, Kate	Adult
2017-07-15	Hamilton	Avery-Kimball, Bobby	Caterpillar
2017-05-18	Hamilton	Smith, Amanda	Adult
2017-05-15	Orange	Lindsey, John	Adult

Observation Details	Images
Date: 2018-07-04 County: Lake Observer: Scheeringa, David Notes: Adult
Date: 2018-06-18 County: Hancock Observer: Evans, Angela Notes: Adult
Date: 2018-06-14 County: Marion Observer: Lawson, Lori Notes: Adult
Date: 2018-05-20 County: Owen Observer: Malad, Rick Notes: Adult
Date: 2017-09-17 County: Floyd Observer: Durham, Hannah Notes: Caterpillar
Date: 2017-08-14 County: Hamilton Observer: Avery-Kimball, Bobby Notes: Adult
Date: 2017-08-14 County: Putnam Observer: Robertson, Kate Notes: Adult
Date: 2017-07-15 County: Hamilton Observer: Avery-Kimball, Bobby Notes: Caterpillar
Date: 2017-05-18 County: Hamilton Observer: Smith, Amanda Notes: Adult
Date: 2017-05-15 County: Orange Observer: Lindsey, John 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