''Darapsa versicolor'', the hydrangea sphinx, is a

moth Moths are a group of insects that includes all members of the order Lepidoptera that are not Butterfly, butterflies. They were previously classified as suborder Heterocera, but the group is Paraphyly, paraphyletic with respect to butterflies (s ...

species of the family

Sphingidae The Sphingidae are a family of moths commonly called sphinx moths, also colloquially known as hawk moths, with many of their caterpillars known as hornworms. It includes about 1,450 species. It is best represented in the tropics, but species ar ...

that inhabits eastern North America, often in wetlands. It was first described by

Thaddeus William Harris Thaddeus William Harris (November 12, 1795 – January 16, 1856) was an American entomologist and librarian. His focus on insect life cycles and interactions with plants was influential in broadening American entomological studies beyond a narrow ...

in 1839. Its wingspan can reach 58 to 80 mm, and its forewings are green brown with curved white patches. In the northern portion of its range there is one flight from June to July and in the southern range it is seen during the warm months. The caterpillar of this species feeds on wild hydrangea (''

Hydrangea arborescens ''Hydrangea arborescens'', commonly known as smooth hydrangea or sevenbark, is a species of flowering plant in the family Hydrangeaceae. It is a small- to medium-sized, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub up to tall that is native to the eastern Uni ...

''), buttonbush (''

Cephalanthus occidentalis ''Cephalanthus occidentalis'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Rubiaceae that is native to eastern and southern North America. Common names include buttonbush, common buttonbush, button-willow, buck brush, and honey-bells. Descripti ...

''), and water-willow (''

Decodon verticillatus ''Decodon verticillatus'', the sole living species in the genus ''Decodon'', is a flowering plant in the family Lythraceae. It is commonly known as waterwillow or swamp loosestrife. It is native to wetlands in the eastern half of the United State ...

'').

References

Moths of North America Macroglossini Moths described in 1839 Taxa named by Thaddeus William Harris {{Macroglossini-stub