#hydrangeasphinx

This is the final instar of the Darapsa versicolor (Hydrangea Sphinx) larva I posted a while back. It’s brilliantly orange now. I have photos of it when it first molted, it’s even more orange. Stay tuned and I’ll let you know when an updated species page, and photos are posted to www.sphingidae.us! I currently have 2 larvae feeding on buttonbush, and a big female pupa from this larva. With some luck, I’ll be able to breed this spectacular species next year. But for now, they have a long winters nap ahead of them. #Darapsa #Darapsaversicolor #HydrangeaSphinx #Caterpillar #FinalInstar #Pupae #Lepidoptera #Moth #MothBreeding #Insect #Insects #Sphingidae #SphingidaeUSA https://www.instagram.com/p/B1pfDYOA4-v/?igshid=qu17qwwbvtli

This is a very special larva, and one I’ve wanted to find for years! This is Darapsa versicolor or the Hydrangea Sphinx. This is one of 3 species in the genus Darapsa, the other two being D. myron and D. choerilus. This species is arguably the most uncommon of the 3. I have finally managed to figure out where to find the adults, and after getting a multitude at one of my field sites, @professional_scrub and I began to search their hostplants for larvae. Well, I didn’t find one, but @professional_scrub did. These caterpillars are quite cool and are quite stunning with their red spiracles and feet. This photo was taken the night we found the larva. I must say I’m extremely pleased with the way it turned out. I’ll be sure to post a photo of the adult later! #Darapsa #Darapsaversicolor #HydrangeaSphinx #Sphingidae #Caterpillar #HawkMoth #SphinxMoth #Moth #Insect #MacroPhoto #Photography #Insects_of_our_world #igclub_butterfly #igcb_mothmonday #macrogrammers #macrointhewild #Buttonbush #Plants #Research #FieldWork https://www.instagram.com/p/B0ojapLg8yt/?igshid=1d5gmu744e1qc

Darapsa versicolor (Hydrangea Sphinx) from Martha’s Vineyard on 7/16/17. This was one of 10 individuals recorded over two nights. This moth is fairly uncommon over its range, this is probably mostly due to the fact they don’t seem to like lights so much. I did catch one adult nectaring on flowers nearby. The little moth in the corner is Cosmia calami - or as I like to call them, Cosmic calamities. #darapsa #darapsaversicolor #sphingidae #sphinx #sphinxmoth #insects_of_our_world #igcb_mothmondays #igclub_butterfly #beautiful #uncommon #moth #mothing #entomology #hydrangeasphinxmoth #hydrangeasphinx