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(Syntomeida epilais
They are dark metallic blue with a couple of white polka-dots dotting the wings and upper abdomen. The tip of the moth's abdomen is bright red; it looks like a very dangerous wasp, but in fact is a harmless moth.The caterpillars are orange or dark orange with long black hairs. The caterpillars look dangerous, but the setae do not inflict any harm.[1
The larvae stage of the Polka-Dot wasp moth, commonly called the Oleander caterpillar, is widely known for its gluttonous appetite. The caterpillar feeds in almost any location (excepting California) where its food, the Oleander plant, can be found. They are gregarious and can cause damage from minor to severe. It may also feed on devil's potato plants, which are believed to be its native food before the Oleander plant was introduced to the Americas by Spanish settlers in the seventeenth century
Bugguide has as its range "South Florida", that was most likely introduced from the Caribbean. There may be some interest in it spreading north.
Spotted on Feb 4, 2012
Submitted on Feb 5, 2012
