Moths of North Carolina
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Darapsa Members:
310 NC Records

Darapsa myron (Cramer, 1780) - Virginia Creeper Sphinx


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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Bombycoidea Family: SphingidaeSubfamily: MacroglossinaeTribe: MacroglossiniP3 Number: 890207.00 MONA Number: 7885.00
Comments: This genus of medium sized moths contains three species, all found in North Carolina.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Forbes (1948); Hodges (1971); Tuttle (2007)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Forbes (1948); Wagner (2005); Tuttle (2007)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: A moderately small Sphinx moth that is broadly banded with tan or olive green on its body and forewings; hindwings are extensively reddish orange. The bands are broader than in Darapsa versicolor and the body lacks the mid-dorsal stripe found in that species. The postmedian line in D. myron is curved, whereas it is straight in D. choerilus, a generally redder and slightly larger species. Sexes are similar.
Wingspan: 5 - 6.5 cm (Covell, 1984)
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: Larvae vary from brown to green with features similar to those of other members of this genus. They may be best distinguished by their host plants (see Wagner, 2005 for more information). Pupation occurs underground.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Occurs statewide, including the Barrier Islands and High Mountains
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Flight Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Immature Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Flight Comments: Probably three broods over most of the state but perhaps only two in the mountains. Adults are flying most of the growing season.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Habitats seem to be the same as for several other Vitaceae-feeding Sphinx moths, including dune and scrub communities on the Barrier Islands but hardwood-dominated forests over the rest of the state. Most of our records come from bottomland or mesic forests but there are also some from drier ridges.
Larval Host Plants: Stenophagous, feeding on members of the Vitaceae, including grapes and Virginia Creeper.
Observation Methods: Adults visit flowers and are attracted to bait. Comes well to 15 watt UV lights.
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for General Vitaceous Tangles
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5 [S5]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: Given its wide distribution across the state, broad range of habitats and use of common host plants, this species appears to be secure.

 Photo Gallery for Darapsa myron - Virginia Creeper Sphinx

184 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.

Recorded by: Stephen Dunn on 2023-09-03
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George on 2023-08-31
Chatham Co.
Comment: feeding on Muscadine
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-08-20
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2023-08-15
Carteret Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2023-08-11
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Bo Sullivan on 2023-08-08
Ashe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2023-08-07
Graham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2023-07-31
Graham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2023-07-31
Macon Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik, Stephen Dunn on 2023-07-26
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: R. Newman on 2023-07-24
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2023-07-24
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2023-07-12
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-07-08
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Emily Stanley on 2023-06-29
Yancey Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-06-20
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Dean Furbish and Joy Wiggins on 2023-06-18
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2023-06-13
Carteret Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2023-06-06
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2023-06-06
Durham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2023-06-02
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2023-05-22
Wake Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Stephen Hall on 2023-05-21
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2023-05-21
Transylvania Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: John Petranka and Jim Petranka on 2023-05-18
Moore Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2023-05-17
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2023-05-15
Transylvania Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2023-05-15
Wake Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2023-05-14
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-05-13
Madison Co.
Comment: