Darapsa versicolor — Hydrangea Sphinx

(Harris, 1839)

Hodges# 7885

Etymology

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

versicolor: The Latin versi means “various;” various colors.

Pronunciation

Duh-rop-suh vur-see-cuhl-ur

Documented Occurrences

This map shows the confirmed sightings of the hydrangea 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
2023-07-12	Porter	Joll, Chris
2023-07-12	Porter	Joll, Chris
2023-07-10	Porter	Joll, Chris
2023-05-07	Hamilton	McCord, Dan
2022-06-04	Owen	Malad, Rick	Adult
2022-06-04	Owen	Wiener, Kevin	Adult
2022-06-04	Owen	Wiener, Kevin	Adult
2022-06-04	Owen	Wiener, Kevin	Adult
2022-06-04	Owen	Wiener, Kevin	Adult
2022-06-04	Owen	Wiener, Kevin	Adult

Observation Details	Images
Date: 2023-07-12 County: Porter Observer: Joll, Chris Notes:
Date: 2023-07-12 County: Porter Observer: Joll, Chris Notes:
Date: 2023-07-10 County: Porter Observer: Joll, Chris Notes:
Date: 2023-05-07 County: Hamilton Observer: McCord, Dan Notes:
Date: 2022-06-04 County: Owen Observer: Malad, Rick Notes: Adult
Date: 2022-06-04 County: Owen Observer: Wiener, Kevin Notes: Adult
Date: 2022-06-04 County: Owen Observer: Wiener, Kevin Notes: Adult
Date: 2022-06-04 County: Owen Observer: Wiener, Kevin Notes: Adult
Date: 2022-06-04 County: Owen Observer: Wiener, Kevin Notes: Adult
Date: 2022-06-04 County: Owen Observer: Wiener, Kevin Notes: Adult

Darapsa versicolor Sightings by Month

Conservation Status

• Global status: G4 (apparently secure)

Reasons: “The species is probably still widespread and somewhat rare as it was in the past. However, it is possible the paucity of recent BAMONA records could indicate a real decline. It is also possible that the apparent rarity of these species is due primarily to low responsiveness to collecting lights.”

• National status: N4 (apparently secure)
• Indiana status: NR (not ranked)

Floral Associates

As their name implies, hydrangea sphinx caterpillars are specialists on native hydrangea (hydrangea arborescens), as well as several other native plants that grow in riparian areas.

Known Larval Food Sources in Indiana
Family	Taxonomic Name	Common Name
Order: Cornales
Hydrangeaceae	Hydrangea spp.	hydrangeas
Order: Ericales
Ericaceae	Rhododendron spp.	azaleas and rhododendrons
Order: Gentianales
Rubiaceae	Cephalanthus occidentalis	buttonbush
Order: Lamiales
Acanthacea	Justicia americana	American water-willow
Order: Myrtales
Lythraceae	Decodon verticillatus	swamp loosestrife