Composia fidelissima

Distinguished from similar moths by its unique combination of red, white, and blue coloration. The blue abdomen and blue-to-black gradient on hindwings separate it from other black-and-white spotted erebid moths. Diurnal flight behavior also aids identification.

Medium-sized moth with wingspan 48–64 mm. Forewings black with rows of white dots and red along the costal margin. Hindwings fade from blue to black, with white dots around the edges. Thorax black with white speckling. Abdomen blue, matching the hindwing coloration.

Southern Florida and the West Indies, including Cuba. GBIF records confirm presence in North America.

Adults active year-round.

Larvae feed on Cynanchum scoparium, Canavalia species (including Canavalia rosea), Nerium species (including Nerium oleander), and Echites species (including Echites umbellatus). Adult diet not specified in sources.

• Cynanchum scoparium - larval host plant
• Canavalia rosea - larval host plantmember of genus Canavalia
• Nerium oleander - larval host plantmember of genus Nerium
• Echites umbellatus - larval host plantmember of genus Echites

Diurnal (day-flying), which is atypical for moths in this family.

• Other Erebidae moths with spotted patternsLack the distinctive red, white, and blue color combination and blue abdomen of C. fidelissima

• diurnal moth
• aposematic coloration
• Florida endemic fauna
• West Indies fauna

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life