Subject: Help needed to ID orange winged flying critter
Geographic location of the bug: Atlantic Beach FL
Date: 07/30/2019
Time: 08:51 AM EDT
Your letter to the bugman: My husband spotted this amorous couple on his early morning beach walk.Thanks to you who admire and respect all God’s creatures, great and small!
How you want your letter signed: Lyvisky, Florida
Dear Lyvisky, Florida,
These are mating Spotted Oleander Caterpillar Moths, Empyreuma affinis, and they are harmless Tiger Moths that benefit from protective mimicry as they are easily mistaken for stinging wasps by predators.
Thank you, Daniel!! They do indeed resemble wasps. I’m always happy to meet new species.