Polka-Dot Wasp Moth
Syntomeida epilais
By feeding on toxic oleander, they sequester cardiac glycosides, rendering both caterpillars and adults deadly poisonous to birds and other predators.
- Scientific name
- Syntomeida epilais
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Lepidoptera › Erebidae › Syntomeida
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Subtropical forests, coastal hammocks, and suburban gardens.
- Diet
- Adults feed on floral nectar; caterpillars feed exclusively on plants in the dogbane family, primarily oleander.
- Range
- Southeastern United States, Caribbean, Central America
- Size
- Wingspan of 45 to 50 mm
- Lifespan
- 5 to 10 days as adults
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Widespread cosmetic pesticide spraying in suburban gardens.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless to observe. Do not handle the bright orange caterpillars, as their hairs can cause mild skin irritation, and they are highly toxic if ingested. If skin contact occurs, wash with soap and water, and use adhesive tape to remove any embedded hairs.
The Polka-Dot Wasp Moth ( Syntomeida epilais ) is a species of moth thought to be native to the Caribbean. The species is also called the Oleander Moth after the Oleander plant, from which its young feed. Like most wasp moths, these moths are day fliers.
Photo: Sandra H Statner, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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