Scarlet-bodied Wasp Moth

Coastal hammocks, gardens, and woodlands, primarily in the southeastern United States and parts of the Caribbean.

Larvae feed on climbing hempweed (Mikania scandens). Adults feed on nectar from flowers, particularly those containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids.

Diurnal (active during the day). They are famous for Batesian mimicry, resembling a wasp to deter predators. Males transfer defensive chemical alkaloids to females during mating to protect their eggs.

No risk to humans; they do not sting despite their appearance. They benefit the ecosystem as pollinators and serve as an interesting subject of chemical ecology studies.