Azalea Sphinx

Common Name: Azalea sphinx

Scientific Name: Darapsa choerilus

Season: At least two generations a year, with adults by June and caterpillars onward.

Food: Caterpillars feed on azalea, black gum, blueberry, grape, and viburnum. Adults take nectar from flowers.

Ecology: Like many sphinx moths, the Azalea sphinx is diurnal, meaning it is active during the daytime. Adults take nectar from flowers with their long tongues, and prefer elongate, tube-like flowers. As such, these moths are pollinators, and provide an important service to the environment. Caterpillars will move to the base of their host plant and form a silken cocoon out of dead leaves. Caterpillars overwinter as pupae.

Adam Mitchell Photo

Photo by: Douglas Tallamy, Entomologist