Pseudocharis minima

(Grote, 1867)

Lesser Wasp Moth

Pseudocharis minima, the Lesser , is a moth in the Erebidae. It was described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1867. The species exhibits wasp-like coloration, an example of . It occurs in Cuba, Florida, and southern Texas, with documented in South Florida pine rocklands.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Pseudocharis minima: /ˌsjuːdoʊˈkɛərɪs ˈmɪnɪmə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from similar -mimicking by its smaller size (wingspan 30–35 mm) and geographic restriction to Cuba, Florida, and southern Texas. The specific wing pattern details needed for definitive field identification are not documented in available sources.

Appearance

Wingspan 30–35 mm. The exhibits -mimicking coloration, though specific pattern details are not documented in available sources.

Habitat

Pine rocklands, tropical hammocks, and the between hammocks and salt marshes. In South Florida, specifically documented from pine rockland .

Distribution

Cuba; Florida (including southern Texas per iNaturalist, though Wikipedia restricts to Cuba and Florida). Primary study focus in South Florida pine rocklands.

Diet

Larvae feed on Crossopetalum and have been recorded on Myginda ilicifolia.

Host Associations

Crossopetalum - larval food plantPrimary larval
Myginda ilicifolia - larval food plantSecondary recorded

Behavior

activity pattern. Exhibits of .

Similar Taxa

Other wasp-mimicking ArctiinaeSimilar coloration; P. minima distinguished by smaller size and specific geographic range

More Details

Taxonomic Note

GBIF lists this as a synonym under Pseudohyaleucerea minima, while NCBI and iNaturalist maintain it as Pseudocharis minima. The species was originally described as Hippola minima by Grote in 1867.

Research Status

A 2023 study in Southeastern Naturalist examined and in South Florida pine rocklands, but full text was not available for detailed extraction.