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)

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

Texas County Records for Cosmosoma myrodora

Range: 

Southeastern states, primarily in Florida but also (recorded mostly along the coasts?) in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.

Flight Period: 

Larval Host: Climbing Hempweed, Mikania scandens, family Asteraceae

Similar Species:

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

Photos: Moth Photographers Group

Weblink: A gift of poison: moths and safe sex - Wake Forest University 

Movie:  Cosmosoma myrodora movie - Wake Forest University 

References:

Conner, W.E , R. Boada, F.C. Schroeder., A. Gonzàlez, J. Meinwald, & T. Eisner. 2001. 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 Sep 2007  © Mike Quinn / mike.quinn@tpwd.state.tx.us / Texas Entomology / Texas Lep Information