Syntomeida melanthus

The black-banded wasp moth can be distinguished from the closely related polka-dot wasp moth (Syntomeida epilais) by its black-banded wing pattern rather than white polka-dots on a blue-black background. Within its range, it may be confused with other syntomine wasp moths; precise identification requires examination of wing pattern details and geographic location. Adults are diurnal and wasp-like in flight, unlike most nocturnal moths.

Found in arid and semi-arid regions including desert scrub, thorn forest, and tropical dry forest. In the United States, occurs in desert and semi-desert habitats of Arizona and Texas.

Native to the southwestern United States (Arizona, southern and western Texas), Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Venezuela, and the West Indies.

In the United States, adults are on wing from April to June and again from August to November, with two flight periods suggesting bivoltine or partially bivoltine phenology. Activity patterns in tropical portions of the range are less documented.

Larvae feed on a wide range of plants, primarily in the family Convolvulaceae. Specific host plant records include morning glories and related species.

• Convolvulaceae - larval hostprimary host family

Complete metamorphosis with egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages. Larvae are presumably aposematically colored like congeners, though specific descriptions are not documented in available sources. Pupation likely occurs in sheltered locations.

Adults are diurnal and exhibit wasp-mimicry in flight. Like other Syntomeida species, adults may engage in ultrasonic acoustic communication during courtship, though this has not been specifically documented for S. melanthus.

As a herbivore, larvae contribute to nutrient cycling through consumption of Convolvulaceae foliage. The species participates in mimicry complexes involving wasp-mimicry and likely aposematism derived from sequestration of plant secondary compounds.

Not considered a major agricultural pest, though larvae may feed on ornamental Convolvulaceae. The species contributes to biodiversity in aridland ecosystems and may serve as a pollinator of flowers visited by adults.

• Syntomeida epilaisSimilar wasp-mimic appearance and diurnal behavior, but distinguished by white polka-dot pattern on blue-black body versus black bands; also differs in distribution, with S. epilais primarily southeastern United States and Caribbean
• Empyreuma pugioneAnother oleander-feeding wasp moth with similar ecology, but has spotted orange and black coloration rather than banded pattern

• diurnal
• wasp mimicry
• aposematism
• Convolvulaceae feeder
• southwestern US fauna

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Doubling down on defense: The polka-dot wasp moth, Syntomeida epilais — Bug of the Week
• Two beauties doubling down on defense: The polka-dot wasp moth, Syntomeida epilais, and spotted oleander caterpillar moth, Empyreuma pugione — Bug of the Week
• Bugs in Orange and Black III – Argus tortoise beetle, Chelymorpha cassidea; oleander caterpillar, Syntomeida epilais; and wheel bug, Arilus cristatus (MISSING LINKS) — Bug of the Week
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