Scarlet-bodied Wasp Moth
Scientific Name: Cosmosoma myrodora
Order & Family: Order: Lepidoptera, Family: Erebidae
Size: Wingspan of approximately 30 to 35 mm (1.2 to 1.4 inches).
Natural Habitat
Coastal hammocks, gardens, and woodlands, primarily in the southeastern United States and parts of the Caribbean.
Diet & Feeding
Larvae feed on climbing hempweed (Mikania scandens). Adults feed on nectar from flowers, particularly those containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids.
Behavior Patterns
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.
Risks & Benefits
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.
Identified on: 6/14/2026