Subject: What’s that ?
Location: Seen in Tampa, FL 9/28/2014 in town
September 28, 2014 4:02 pm
Hi bugman
What’s the bug on this picture ?
Thanks
Signature: Fred
Dear Fred,
The Spotted Oleander Caterpillar Moth, Empyreuma pugione, is one of the Tiger Moths that benefit from mimicry because they look like stinging Wasps. This black bodied, orange winged beauty most closely resembles Spider Wasps, especially the Tarantula Hawks. According to BugGuide: “The spotted oleander caterpillar is a recent immigrant to the US from the Caribbean, first recorded in Florida in Boca Raton, Palm Beach County, in February 1978.”
thank you for the info, now i know the name of what’s eating my plants in a caterpillar form… !
have a great day
Fred