Wasp Moth

Description:

For National Moth Week 2016. A gorgeous orange and brown Wasp mimicking Tiger Moth. About 6 of these moths came to my light, all in perfect condition with bright coloring. About half were males (last picture) which are several mm smaller than the females. The males have two orange spots on the front of the thorax instead of a solid orange line and lack the red spot on the upper wings. All have blue-green metallic spots on the abdomen. This is the first time I have seen the males. Family Erebidae, Arctiinae.

Habitat:

Came to an ultraviolet light set up along the highway on a cliff between San Cristobal and Tuxtla Gutierrez, km 18.5, 1164 meters.

Notes:

A single female was spotted previously (http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/237...) at a much higher elevation (2,200 meters). This spotting seems to be within their favored range. See the previous spotting for additional references.