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ECOLOGY ▪ EDUCATION ▪ ADVOCACY

Adult — Scott County (Brian Lowry)
Early instart caterpillar — Hamilton County (Amanda Smith)
Early instar caterpillar — Pike County (Jeremy Ross)
Late instar caterpillar — Hamilton County (Amanda Smith)
An Indiana Native

Dolba hyloeus — Pawpaw Sphinx

(Drury, 1773)

hyloeus Species Dolba Genus Sphingini Tribe Sphinginae Subfamily Family Sphingidae Bombycoidea Superfamily Order Lepidoptera Insecta Class Hexapoda Subphylum Phylum Arthropoda Kingdom Animalia
hyloeus Species Dolba Genus Sphingini Tribe Sphinginae Subfamily Family Sphingidae Bombycoidea Superfamily Order Lepidoptera Insecta Class Hexapoda Subphylum Phylum Arthropoda Kingdom Animalia

Hodges# 7784

Etymology

Dolba: Likely is derived from the Latin word dolba meaning “grub” or “caterpillar.”

Hyloeus: Likely derived from the Greek word hylē meaning “forest” or “woodland.” In Greek mythology, Hyloeus was centaur.

Pronunciation

DOLL-ba hy-lo-EE-us

Adult — Scott County (Brian Lowry)
Early instart caterpillar — Hamilton County (Amanda Smith)
Early instar caterpillar — Pike County (Jeremy Ross)
Late instar caterpillar — Hamilton County (Amanda Smith)

Documented Occurrences

This map shows the confirmed sightings of the Pawpaw Sphinx in Indiana. All sightings were confirmed through photographic documentation by individuals who contributed to the Great American IN Nature Lepidoptera Project (GAIN LP).

species present icon GAIN LP
documented
in county.

GAIN LP Sightings

Date County Observer Notes Image1 Image2
2024-08-10 Marion Bowman, Jennifer
2023-07-24 Owen Pettigrew, Laura
2023-07-12 Brown Jaskula, Jeanette
2023-07-06 Owen Pettigrew, Laura
2022-07-23 Porter Joll, Chris
2022-07-23 Porter Mysore, Keshava
2021-08-16 Monroe Huber, Layton Adult
2021-07-18 Monroe Setze, Tracey Adult
2021-07-07 Switzerland Lowry, Kelsie Adult
2021-06-21 Switzerland Lowry, Kelsie Adult
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Observation Details Images
Date: 2024-08-10
County: Marion
Observer: Bowman, Jennifer
Notes:
Date: 2023-07-24
County: Owen
Observer: Pettigrew, Laura
Notes:
Date: 2023-07-12
County: Brown
Observer: Jaskula, Jeanette
Notes:
Date: 2023-07-06
County: Owen
Observer: Pettigrew, Laura
Notes:
Date: 2022-07-23
County: Porter
Observer: Joll, Chris
Notes:
Date: 2022-07-23
County: Porter
Observer: Mysore, Keshava
Notes:
Date: 2021-08-16
County: Monroe
Observer: Huber, Layton
Notes: Adult
Date: 2021-07-18
County: Monroe
Observer: Setze, Tracey
Notes: Adult
Date: 2021-07-07
County: Switzerland
Observer: Lowry, Kelsie
Notes: Adult
Date: 2021-06-21
County: Switzerland
Observer: Lowry, Kelsie
Notes: Adult
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Dolba hyloeus Sightings by Month

Conservation Status

Floral Associates

The Pawpaw Sphinx caterpillars host of a few varieties of small trees and vines including the Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) which, gives it its namesake. Adults nectar from flowers.


Known Larval Food Sources in Indiana
Family Taxonomic Name Common Name
Order: Aquifoliales
AquifoliaceaeIlex spp.hollies
Order: Ericales
EricaceaeVaccinium spp.blueberries
Order: Fagales
MyricaceaeComptonia peregrinasweet fern
Order: Magnoliales
AnnonaceaeAsimina trilobapawpaw