Grote's Wasp Moth
Common NameGrote's Wasp Moth
Scientific NameMacrocneme grotei
FamilyErebidae
SubfamilyArctiinae
Wingspan (mm)32.5
Wing Patterntransparent
Primary Colorsyellow, black, transparent
HabitatMoist woodlands, hammocks, swamps, and disturbed areas in subtropical and tropical regions.
Geographic RangeSoutheastern United States (Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, South Carolina), Central America, Caribbean.
Host Plantsferns, mosses, lichens
Flight PeriodYear-round in tropical parts of its range, primarily spring to fall in temperate areas.
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesUndergoes complete metamorphosis. Larvae are typically hairy and feed on low-growing plants like ferns and mosses before pupating.
Identification TipsLook for the distinct black and yellow striped body, transparent wings with dark venation, and white-tipped antennae. Its resemblance to a wasp is a key identification feature.
Description
This moth features a striking black and yellow striped abdomen, mimicking a wasp. Its wings are mostly transparent with prominent black veins and dark margins, and its head and thorax are also yellow and black.
