Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Darapsa myron (Cramer)
Orig. Comb:
Sphinx myron Cramer 1780
Explanation of Names
from Greek myron (μυρον)- literally "sweet oil or perfume", figuratively "something graceful or charming"
Numbers
very common; sometimes abundant
Identification
Adult: forewing has muted "army camouflage" pattern - variably dark brown to pale yellowish-gray, often with green shading (some adults are completely shaded in various tones of green); PM line slightly curved; dark discal dot and pale shading in median area; dark AM and PM bands, and dark patches at apex and anal angle; hindwing brownish-orange
Larva: freshly-emerged larvae have a slender yellowish body, relatively large brown head, and disproportionately long black anal horn; mature larvae have a green or brown body with a white stripe along the side smudging downwards into diagonal stripes. Head and anterior thoracic segments slender in mature larvae (body swells greatly at third throacic segment, as in Azalea Sphinx). Spiracular spots small and orange, edged top and bottom with white dots. Horn granular.
Range
e US with a few strays to the n. & w. -
Map (MPG)
Habitat
Woodlands and edges near hostplants; adults are nocturnal and attracted to light
Season
adults fly all year in Florida; March to September elsewhere
larvae present from April to November
Food
Larvae feed on leaves of
peppervine (
Ampelopsis spp.), grape, and Virginia Creeper (
Parthenocissus quinquefolia).
Adults take nectar.
Life Cycle
one or two generations per year in the north; two or more generations in the south
Caterpillar development by Tom Murray:
See Also
Pandorus Sphinx is larger, less common, has a complex pattern of lines and patches along inner margin of forewing, and lacks orange on hindwing
(
compare images of both species at CBIF)
Azalea Sphinx (
Darapsa choerilus) forewing has a straight PM line and lacks green shading (
compare images of both species at CBIF)
Larvae of
Azalea Sphinx are similar, but their hostplants will usually help to distinguish them).
Edit: Darapsa myron is only known to host on members of the Vitacea, records from Viburnum are most likely mis-identified Darapsa choerilus (see Tuttle for reference)
Print References
Wagner, p. 15--photo of larva
(2)
Salsbury, p. 327--photo of adult
(3)Internet References
De uitlandische kappelen, v.3, p.91 (plate 247, fig. C) - Cramer's original description of the species (in Dutch and French). On the previous page is an illustration of the adult moth.
