Cosmosoma myrodora

Dyar, 1907

Scarlet-bodied Wasp Moth

Cosmosoma myrodora is a small in the Arctiinae, characterized by vivid aposematic coloration that mimics . Males exhibit a unique courtship involving the transfer of defensive chemicals to females. The occurs in coastal regions of the southeastern United States and has been recorded in Brazil.

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Pronunciation

How to pronounce Cosmosoma myrodora: /kɔs.moˈsoː.ma my.roˈdoː.ra/

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Images

Habitat

Coastal plains.

Distribution

United States: Florida, South Carolina to Texas. Brazil: outskirts of São Paulo.

Seasonality

active March to December.

Diet

Larvae feed on Mikania scandens.

Behavior

Prior to mating, males extract toxic chemicals from Eupatorium capillifolium and transfer these compounds to females, a rare instance of chemical gifting in Lepidoptera.

Sources and further reading