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
2022-08-13	Owen	Malad, Rick
2022-08-06	Porter	Joll, Chris
2022-08-06	Porter	Mysore, Keshava
2022-08-02	Porter	Bewick, Becky
2022-08-02	Porter	Bewick, Becky
2022-08-02	Porter	Bewick, Becky
2022-08-01	Monroe	Setze, Tracey
2022-07-31	Madison	Valentine, Stacey
2022-07-30	Hamilton	Avery-Kimball, Bobby
2022-07-30	Hamilton	Avery-Kimball, Bobby

Observation Details	Images
Date: 2022-08-13 County: Owen Observer: Malad, Rick Notes:
Date: 2022-08-06 County: Porter Observer: Joll, Chris Notes:
Date: 2022-08-06 County: Porter Observer: Mysore, Keshava Notes:
Date: 2022-08-02 County: Porter Observer: Bewick, Becky Notes:
Date: 2022-08-02 County: Porter Observer: Bewick, Becky Notes:
Date: 2022-08-02 County: Porter Observer: Bewick, Becky Notes:
Date: 2022-08-01 County: Monroe Observer: Setze, Tracey Notes:
Date: 2022-07-31 County: Madison Observer: Valentine, Stacey Notes:
Date: 2022-07-30 County: Hamilton Observer: Avery-Kimball, Bobby Notes:
Date: 2022-07-30 County: Hamilton Observer: Avery-Kimball, Bobby Notes:

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