Darapsa myron

Cramer, 1779

Virginia creeper sphinx, Green Grapevine Sphinx

Darapsa myron is a sphinx moth native to central and eastern North America. have a wingspan of 2–3 inches, with green-brown striped forewings and orange hindwings. Larvae, known as hornworms, feed on Virginia creeper and grape plants. The produces multiple annually, with larvae capable of maturing in as few as three weeks. Adults are , visiting lights and sugar baits, and are most active from sunset to midnight.

Darapsa myron by (c) Raven Dandridge, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Raven Dandridge. Used under a CC-BY license.

Darapsa myron by (c) David Dodd, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by David Dodd. Used under a CC-BY license.

Darapsa myron larva 4 by Jacy Lucier. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Darapsa myron: //dəˈræpsə ˈmaɪrɒn//

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Identification

Distinguished from similar sphinx moths by the combination of orange hindwing and green-brown striped forewing with central dark dot. Separated from Darapsa choerilus (Azalea Sphinx) by forewing pattern and larval association. Differs from Eumorpha pandorus (Pandorus Sphinx) in wing coloration and pattern. Larvae identified by blue horn and seven pairs of diagonal stripes merging to black line.

Images

Habitat

Woodland and brush . Larvae occur on plants in these settings.

Distribution

North America: southern Ontario and Quebec (Canada); United States from Maine south to Florida, west to North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas; Mexico. Two recognized: D. m. myron (northern range) and D. m. mexicana (Mexico).

Seasonality

active early May to early September, with peak abundance June–July in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. Multiple annually (two in Maryland, three or more in Florida). Adults emerge mid-afternoon; peak activity sunset to midnight.

Diet

Larvae feed on Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), grape vines (Vitis spp.), Viburnums, and raccoon grapes. nectar from tubular flowers including honeysuckle, trumpet vine, and mandevilla; also feed on fluids from rotting fruit.

Host Associations

Parthenocissus quinquefolia - larval food plantVirginia creeper
Vitis spp. - larval food plantgrape vines
Viburnum spp. - larval food plant
Ampelopsis spp. - larval food plantporcelain berry
Lonicera spp. - nectar sourcehoneysuckle
Campsis radicans - nectar sourcetrumpet vine

Life Cycle

: small, green turning yellow within 48 hours when fertile; up to 150 per female. Incubation: approximately six days. Larval stage: as few as three weeks to maturity; five or more annually. Larvae hide on leaf midribs and feed nocturnally. : fully grown larvae spin sparse, wiry cocoons among ground leaves. Pupae: eclose in ~20 days or to emerge late May.

Behavior

emerge mid-afternoon. Females begin calling ( release) shortly after dusk. feeding and movement. Readily attracted to lights and sugar baits. Larvae conceal themselves on leaf midribs during daylight, feeding at night. Pairing in captivity is rapid; adults may refuse food entirely.

Darapsa choerilusSimilar size and shape; distinguished by forewing pattern and larval on Ericaceae rather than Vitaceae
Eumorpha pandorusOverlapping range and grape ; Pandorus Sphinx has different wing pattern with more complex markings and greenish base color
Hemaris thysbeSimilar and flower visitation; hummingbird clearwing has clear wings and different body form

More Details

Subspecies

Darapsa myron myron (northern range); Darapsa myron mexicana Gehlen, 1933 (Mexico)

Captive behavior

do not require feeding in captivity to pair, though fed females produce more . Some individuals refuse food entirely.