Dolba hyloeus — Pawpaw Sphinx

(Drury, 1773)

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

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).

GAIN LP Sightings

Date	County	Observer	Notes	Image1	Image2
2021-06-17	Switzerland	Lowry, Kelsie	Adult
2020-09-16	Jefferson	Johnson, Stefan	Caterpillar
2020-07-20	Cass	Johnson, Bob	Caterpillar
2020-07-20	Cass	Johnson, Bob	Caterpillar
2020-07-20	Cass	Johnson, Bob	Caterpillar
2020-07-20	Cass	Johnson, Bob	Caterpillar
2020-07-01	Scott	Starling, Keith	Adult
2019-09-04	Scott	Lowry, Brian	Caterpillar
2019-08-16	Scott	Lowry, Brian	Adult
2019-07-14	Hamilton	Smith, Amanda	Caterpillar

Observation Details	Images
Date: 2021-06-17 County: Switzerland Observer: Lowry, Kelsie Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-09-16 County: Jefferson Observer: Johnson, Stefan Notes: Caterpillar
Date: 2020-07-20 County: Cass Observer: Johnson, Bob Notes: Caterpillar
Date: 2020-07-20 County: Cass Observer: Johnson, Bob Notes: Caterpillar
Date: 2020-07-20 County: Cass Observer: Johnson, Bob Notes: Caterpillar
Date: 2020-07-20 County: Cass Observer: Johnson, Bob Notes: Caterpillar
Date: 2020-07-01 County: Scott Observer: Starling, Keith Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-09-04 County: Scott Observer: Lowry, Brian Notes: Caterpillar
Date: 2019-08-16 County: Scott Observer: Lowry, Brian Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-07-14 County: Hamilton Observer: Smith, Amanda Notes: Caterpillar

Dolba hyloeus Sightings by Month

Conservation Status

• Global status: G5 (secure)
• National status: N5 (secure)
• Indiana status: NR (not ranked)

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
Aquifoliaceae	Ilex spp.	hollies
Order: Ericales
Ericaceae	Vaccinium spp.	blueberries
Order: Fagales
Myricaceae	Comptonia peregrina	sweet fern
Order: Magnoliales
Annonaceae	Asimina triloba	pawpaw