Darapsa choerilus (Cramer, [1780])
MONA 7886
Azalea Sphinx Moth
View Photographic Plate
MA : Plymouth Co.
Norwell, Third Herring Brook by R St., 10 ft
42.1, -70.8
May 11, 1985, LG Crabo.
Specimen courtesy of LGCC
Photograph copyright: Merrill A. Peterson
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Identification
Adults
Darapsa choerilus is an eastern species which is purported to occur in British Columbia by Hodges (1971). It is a large to very large sphinx moth (FW length 26–31 mm) with a red-brown and silver gray forewing and orange hindwing. The apex of the long forewing is slightly hooked and the anal angle is produced into a slightly flange. The ground color is smooth reddish tan, heavily frosted with silver-gray basal to the straight or smoothly excurved postmedial line and in the terminal area. Lighter gray dusting is present between the multiple components of the scalloped subterminal line and on the veins in the same portion of the forewings. The small discal spot is black. The hindwings are uniform brownish orange, slightly darker near the outer margin, with silver-gray frosting near the anal angle. The head and most of the thorax are similar in color to the forewing, with gray lateral tegulae. The white antenna is club-like.
This species is easily identified by its northern distribution, large size, and orange-brown color of both wings. It is unlikely to be confused with other species in our area. It should be sought in the northeastern corner of British Columbia.
Larvae
The larva has both brown and green color morphs with a blue-green caudal horn that points at a somewhat upward angle. The head and first one to two segments are narrow in comparison to the rest of the body.
Habitat
The Azalea Sphinx is common and widely distributed in moist hardwood forests throughout much of eastern North America, extending westward to the Rocky Mountain region. It is mostly encountered along the edge of forest tracks in dappled sunlight where larval host plants are abundant.
Distribution
Pacific Northwest
Darapsa choerilus was listed as occurring in British Columbia by Hodges (1971), but Tuttle (2007) was unable to confirm the record. It occurs to extreme northwestern Alberta and is likely to be found in northeastern British Columbia east of the Rocky Mountain Divide.
Global
This species is primarily found in eastern North America in forests east of the Great Plains. It ranges west to central Texas in the south. In the north its range extends into southeastern Canada with a band westward from southern Manitoba to extreme northwestern Alberta.
Life History
Larvae
Eggs are laid singly on fresh young leaves of the host plant. The larvae are solitary feeders that may be evident due to localized defoliation during later instars. Resting larvae cling to the midrib of the host plants leaves. Common host plants are various hardwood shrubs such as viburnum (Viburnum spp.), azalea (Rhododendron spp.), blueberries (Vaccinium spp.), and possibly honeysuckle (Lonicera). Pupation in a silk cocoon occurs among debris on the ground.
Adults
In the northern part of its range D. choerilus has one generation per year, with a midsummer flight from mid-May to mid-August. Adults visit flowers for nectar and have been caught or observed on a variety of plants, including Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), bladder campion (Silene latifolia), snakeroot (Eupatorium spp.), spiraea (Spiraea spp.) and goldentop (Euthamia spp.). They are crepuscular and nocturnal and can be caught with bait and light traps.
Economic Importance
None.
Literature
Butterflies and Moths of North America
Hodges (1971)
Opler et al. (2010)
Tuttle (2007)
