For my first “real” post I’d like to share this absolutely INCREDIBLE moth I found on campus a few days back. This is *Cosmosoma myrodora*, the Scarlet Bodied Wasp Moth. This striking moth is native to the southeastern US and is named because its appearance is believed to be mimicry of wasps— If I had to guess, likely a Polistidae species. This moth is a tiger moth (Arctiini) in the family Erebidae, much like the Salt Marsh Moth (*Estigmine acrea*) that is also native to Galveston, though I don’t think anyone is at high risk of confusing the two as they look very different. *C. myrodora* larva feed on *Mikania* genus plants called hempvines. Unless I’m mistaken, there’s an absolutely massive hempvine by the parking lot on campus. Maybe I’ll pop over there and see if I can find some larvae or pupae.
Sources:
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/217647-Cosmosoma-myrodora
EENY557/IN996: Scarlet-Bodied Wasp Moth, Cosmosoma myrodora (Dyar) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Arctiidae)
The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids, and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.
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