'Polka Dot Tiger Moth' (Synotomeida epilais) This lovely and unusual moth visits my gardens in summers. It is diurnal, which makes it even more exciting. Wingspan ranges from 4.7 to 4.9 cm. Host plants are oleanders, i.e.: my mandevilla. It is a wasplike moth that flies slowly, and can often be found on garden flowers, for me; in afternoon times. A related specimen, the 'Scarlet bodied Wasp Moth' (Cosmosoma myrodora) can also be seen at the same hours of day, also lighting on flowers. I snapped some pictures of it last summer on my mandevilla arbor. Caterpillar is so beautiful, with wispy 'hair tufts' along it's body segmnents. The moth is strikingly handsome with the deep neon blues and bright spotting. And who does not love the telltale sign of moth versus butterfly...those feathery tufted antennae? Hope you enjoy. Sorry, more of a gardener than photographer, but you get the idea polka-dot-tiger-moth-caterpillar1 ( photo / image / picture from Bodhi's Garden ) polka-dot-tiger-moth-caterpillar2 ( photo / image / picture from Bodhi's Garden ) Polka dot tiger moth caterpillar3 ( photo / image / picture from Bodhi's Garden ) Polka dot tiger moth adult 1 ( photo / image / picture from Bodhi's Garden ) Polka dot tiger moth adult 2 ( photo / image / picture from Bodhi's Garden )
I think your photographs are great Bodhi. You can clearly see how the moth got its name can't you? Those spots certainly stand out well as does its red bottom. :-D
Very nice sequence of shots. Thanks for sharing the photographs and information on the Polka Dota Tiger Moth.
