Virginia Creeper Sphinx
ExploreInsects
Virginia Creeper Sphinx
darapsa myron
The Virginia Creeper Sphinx (Darapsa myron) is a fascinating and relatively common species of hawkmoth native to North America. Often overlooked despite its beautifully patterned wings, it plays a quiet but important role in its local ecosystems as both an herbivore and a pollinator. As caterpillars, they are voracious eaters of vine foliage, while the adults are capable of swift, agile flight. Their presence in a garden or woodland is a wonderful indicator of a healthy, native plant population.
Habitat: Found primarily in deciduous forests, woodland edges, and suburban gardens where host plants like wild grape and Virginia creeper are abundant.
Appearance
Adult moths feature distinctive forewings that blend shades of olive green, brownish-green, and tan, with darker bands across the middle, while their hindwings are a contrasting warm orange or dull copper. They possess a robust, torpedo-shaped body typical of hawkmoths, with a wingspan ranging from 4 to 7 centimeters. The caterpillars are equally striking, appearing in either bright green or reddish-brown morphs, adorned with pale diagonal side stripes and a prominent, harmless horn on their posterior end.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilySphingidaeGenusDarapsa
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
11
Interesting facts
In the southern parts of its range, this moth can produce up to three generations per year, while northern populations only have enough warm weather to produce one.
Like many hawkmoths, this species can hover in mid-air while feeding, which often leads people to mistakenly identify them as small hummingbirds at dusk.
The caterpillars are frequently targeted by tiny parasitoid wasps, which spin dozens of white, cottony cocoons on the caterpillar's back after feeding on it from the inside out.
When resting on a branch, the Virginia Creeper Sphinx holds its wings in a swept-back, tent-like shape, making it look almost indistinguishable from a dead leaf.
Special abilities
Ability
Hovering Flight
Capable of hovering in mid-air to drink nectar from deep flowers, moving with a humming sound similar to a tiny bird.
Ability
Cryptic Coloration
When at rest, the adult moth holds its mottled olive and brown wings in a swept-back, tent-like posture, perfectly mimicking a curled dead leaf.
Ability
Defensive Thrashing
When disturbed, the caterpillars will violently thrash their front ends back and forth to startle and deter potential predators.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 2-4 cm
- Wingspan
- 4-7 cm
- Weight
- 0.001-0.003 kg
- Lifespan
- up to 1 years
- Top Speed
- 25 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 50-150
- Incubation
- 6-8 days
Diet & Feeding
The caterpillars consume large amounts of leaf tissue, while adult moths primarily drink nectar from flowering plants.
Age differences: Caterpillars exclusively chew foliage, whereas adult moths transition to a liquid diet, drinking nectar through a long, specialized proboscis.
Primary Foods
- Virginia Creeper leaves
- Grapevine leaves
- Ampelopsis leaves
- Flower nectar
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
host plant
Virginia Creeper
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Serves as the primary host plant for the caterpillars to feed on.
host plant
Wild Grape
Vitis riparia
Provides an alternative, highly favored food source for the developing larvae.
parasite
Braconid Wasp
Cotesia congregata
A tiny parasitoid that lays its eggs inside the caterpillar, eventually spinning white cocoons on its back.
eaten by
Big Brown Bat
Eptesicus fuscus
A nocturnal predator that frequently catches and consumes the adult moths mid-flight.
Traits
No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Collections for this object will appear here as more themes are added.
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Virginia Creeper Sphinx?
The easiest way to identify Virginia Creeper Sphinx is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Virginia Creeper Sphinx?
2-4 cm
What is Virginia Creeper Sphinx's wingspan?
4-7 cm
How much does Virginia Creeper Sphinx weigh?
0.001-0.003 kg
How long does Virginia Creeper Sphinx live?
up to 1 years
How fast can Virginia Creeper Sphinx move?
25 km/h
What does Virginia Creeper Sphinx eat?
The caterpillars consume large amounts of leaf tissue, while adult moths primarily drink nectar from flowering plants.
Where is Virginia Creeper Sphinx usually found?
Found primarily in deciduous forests, woodland edges, and suburban gardens where host plants like wild grape and Virginia creeper are abundant.
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Jun 13, 2026
Leewood Parki
Photo attribution
(c) Mark Richman, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Where to spot
Park45 sightings50 species
New York, US
Cambridge Historic District
You might spot Dame's Rocket, American Pokeweed, and American Toad.
View guide →
Park41 sightings50 species
Virginia, US
Fort Monroe National Monument
You might spot Eastern Gray Squirrel, Duck, and Northern Mockingbird.
View guide →
Park44 sightings50 species
Virginia, US
Leewood Park
You might spot Lesser Celandine, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, and Mayapple.
View guide →
Park41 sightings50 species
Virginia, US
Manchester
You might spot Canada Goose, Duck, and Great Blue Heron.
View guide →
Park16 sightings50 species
Massachusetts, US
Rock House Reservation
You might spot Red Trillium, Round-Leaved Sundew, and Pitch Pine.
View guide →
Park43 sightings50 species
New York, US
Salem Historic District
You might spot Pine Grosbeak, Hydrangea Leaftier Moth, and Brown Trout.
View guide →
.jpg&width=800)
.jpg&width=800)
