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












