Texas Lep Information

Return to Texas Entomology - Compiled by Mike Quinn

Scarlet-bodied Wasp Moth 

Cosmosoma myrodora Dyar, 1907

Tiger Moth Family Arctiidae

Port O'Connor, Calhoun Co., TX
25 October 2006 (P Hockey)

---

 

Anahuac NWR, Chambers Co., TX
8 October 2006 (Janet Rathjen) 

Texas County Records for Cosmosoma myrodora

Plus Cameron and Hidalgo Counties in so. TX and Angelina and Liberty Counties in east TX

Range: 

Southeastern states, primarily in Florida but also (generally near the coast) from South Carolina to Texas.

Flight Period: April to December, most records September to November (Brou 2003)

Larval Host: Climbing Hempweed, Mikania scandens, family Asteraceae - USDA Plants Database

Remarks: Occurs abundantly at ultra-violet light traps in Louisiana (Brou 2003)

Similar Species: 

Cosmosoma festivum, which has only once been recorded in s. Florida and s. Texas. 
Cosmosoma teuthras
Other congeners occur south of the border.

Photos: Moth Photographers Group

Weblinks: 

A gift of poison: moths and safe sex - Wake Forest University 
Butterflies and Moths of North America

Photos: BugGuide.Net

Movie:  Cosmosoma myrodora movie - Wake Forest University 

References:

Borror, D.J. 1960. Dictionary of Word Roots and Combining Forms. National Press Books, Palo Alto. v + 134 pp.

Brou, Jr., V.A. 2003. Cosmosoma myrodora Dyar in Louisiana. Southern Lepidopterists News 25: 46.

Conner, W.E , R. Boada, F.C. Schroeder., A. Gonzàlez, J. Meinwald, & T. Eisner. 2000. Chemical defense: bestowal of a nuptial alkaloidal garment by a male moth upon its mate. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 97(26): 14406-14411.

Dyar, H.G. 1907. New American Lepidoptera. Journal of the New York Entomological Society, 15(1): 226-234.

14 Oct 2009  © Mike Quinn / entomike@gmail.com / Texas Entomology / Texas Lep Information