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Common Name(s): Hydrangea Sphinx
Ecology and Life History: This moth flies throughout the summer months in the Northeast, having 1-2 broods. In the South this moth flies for longer, having many more broods and being present nearly year-round in certain areas. This species is attracted to light, but it doesn’t appear that it is heavily attracted to light. This moth has been caught at bait, and nectaring at flowers. Since it’s hostplants are heavily associated with water, and are often growing in water or quite close to it, the females likely deposit eggs on leaf tips farther up the plant. Habitat and Searching for Larvae: This moth is an inhabitant of wetlands, swamps, marshes, rivers, and bogs where it’s water-loving hostplants Cephalanthus occidentalis and Decodon verticellatus are found. Rearing Notes: [Coming Soon] Adult description: Arguably one of the most gorgeous Sphingidae in the Northeast. This is a medium sized moth with forewing length of 32-38mm (2). The green forewings with intricate white streaks that repeat on the thorax and abdomen immediately separates it from other members of the genus as well as most species in the continental USA. The hindwings of this species are a deep red-orange color that contrast beautifully with the forewings. Larval description: L5: This is a medium, typically green larva, that also has a reddish-pink form. The larva has bright red spiracles and 6 faint white streaks surrounding each spiracle. The last white streak extends to the orange horn, which angles backward. This is the plainest larva in the genus, with really only the horn, spiracles and anal dash giving it any color. It is most easily separated from the other members of its genus by hostplant or by horn color. Host plants: Click here to load this Caspio Cloud Database
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(C) Teá Kesting-Handly
L5 - (C) George Smiley
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The gallery to the left contains photos of Darapsa versicolor adults. If you have a photo that you would like to submit to us, please contact us.
The gallery to the right contains photos of Darapsa versicolor larval and pupal stages. If you have a photo that you would like to submit to us, please contact us.
The gallery to the right contains photos of Darapsa versicolor larval and pupal stages. If you have a photo that you would like to submit to us, please contact us.
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