ECOLOGY ▪ SCIENCE ▪ EDUCATION
ECOLOGY ▪ SCIENCE ▪ EDUCATION
An Indiana Native
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.
Duh-rop-suh vur-see-cuhl-ur
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).
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GAIN LP documented in county. |
| Date | County | Observer | Notes | Image1 | Image2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-07-12 | Porter | Joll, Chris |
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| 2023-07-12 | Porter | Joll, Chris |
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| 2023-07-10 | Porter | Joll, Chris |
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| 2023-05-07 | Hamilton | McCord, Dan |
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| 2022-06-04 | Owen | Malad, Rick | Adult |
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| 2022-06-04 | Owen | Wiener, Kevin | Adult |
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| 2022-06-04 | Owen | Wiener, Kevin | Adult |
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| 2022-06-04 | Owen | Wiener, Kevin | Adult |
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| 2022-06-04 | Owen | Wiener, Kevin | Adult |
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| 2022-06-04 | Owen | Wiener, Kevin | Adult |
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| Observation Details | Images |
|---|---|
| Date: 2023-07-12 County: Porter Observer: Joll, Chris Notes: |
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| Date: 2023-07-12 County: Porter Observer: Joll, Chris Notes: |
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| Date: 2023-07-10 County: Porter Observer: Joll, Chris Notes: |
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| Date: 2023-05-07 County: Hamilton Observer: McCord, Dan Notes: |
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| Date: 2022-06-04 County: Owen Observer: Malad, Rick Notes: Adult |
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| Date: 2022-06-04 County: Owen Observer: Wiener, Kevin Notes: Adult |
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| Date: 2022-06-04 County: Owen Observer: Wiener, Kevin Notes: Adult |
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| Date: 2022-06-04 County: Owen Observer: Wiener, Kevin Notes: Adult |
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| Date: 2022-06-04 County: Owen Observer: Wiener, Kevin Notes: Adult |
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| Date: 2022-06-04 County: Owen Observer: Wiener, Kevin Notes: Adult |
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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.”
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 |
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