The Scarlet-bodied wasp moth, Cosmosoma myrodora, is a stunning moth found throughout Florida and coastal areas in the southeastern U.S. Males have filament containing pouches on the abdomen called flocculence. During mating the male will hover over the female and discharge the flocculence, creating a net over her before attempting to mate. These flocculence’s are a visible white.
The larvae emerge from the eggs appearing as tiny white hair-covered caterpillars. These hairs are called setae and help form the cocoon. Cocoons are constructed under leaves and are mesh-like balls. Larvae feed on native hempvines.
Adult males feed on dogfennel and pass the toxin, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, obtained from the plant to females during courtship as a way to protect eggs from predation. Some parasites are still able to get past these defenses. These include Hyphantrophaga sellersi and Tetrastichinae parasitoids.
Photo credit: Aymee Laurain
