Subject: Pompilidae or Mimic?
Location: Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, British West Indies
July 21, 2012 11:05 pm
This insect emerged from a chrysalis in an office on Grand Cayman (British West Indies) yesterday. Since I don’t think it fits the wasp life cycle, I suppose it probably isn’t a spider-hunting wasp, but more likely a moth that looks similar to one. Can you identify it? Thanks very much. I love What’s That Bug!
Signature: Melissa
Spotted Oleander Caterpillar Moth
Hi Melissa,
This Spotted Oleander Caterpillar Moth, Empyreuma affinis, or a closely related species or subspecies, is a very effective wasp mimic.
Thank you, Daniel. We over here at the vet school on Grand Cayman appreciate the info. And I realized in retrospect I probably should have indicated “pupa” rather than “chrysalis”.
Melissa
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