description Hydrangea sphinx moth Overview
The hydrangea sphinx moth, Darapsa versicolor, is a North American member of the sphinx moth family, Sphingidae. Its caterpillars feed chiefly on hydrangeas and viburnums, plants in the family Hydrangeaceae. Adults are active mainly at night and visit tubular flowers for nectar, contributing to pollination while using the characteristic hovering flight associated with many sphinx moths.
help Hydrangea sphinx moth FAQ
What plants do hydrangea sphinx moth caterpillars eat?
The caterpillars feed chiefly on hydrangeas and viburnums, which is how the moth got its common name. Gardeners growing these shrubs in eastern North America sometimes discover the larvae on the leaves in late summer.
Where does the hydrangea sphinx moth live?
Darapsa versicolor is a North American species, found mainly in the eastern part of the continent wherever its host shrubs grow. Like other sphinx moths (family Sphingidae), it is capable of strong, fast flight.
How can I attract hydrangea sphinx moths to my yard?
Planting its host shrubs, hydrangeas and viburnums, gives females a place to lay eggs, while tubular nectar flowers can draw night-flying adults. The moths also readily come to lights on warm evenings, which is how many people first see them.
How do I tell the hydrangea sphinx from similar Darapsa moths?
It belongs to the genus Darapsa, which includes the common virginia creeper sphinx (Darapsa myron), and the species are separated by details of wing pattern and coloration. Versicolor generally shows richer, more varied coloring, and checking host plants nearby is a useful clue.
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