Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Photo#137460
oleander beastie - Syntomeida epilais

oleander beastie - Syntomeida epilais
Beaufort, SC, USA, Beaufort County, South Carolina, USA
August 8, 2007
Size: 1.25 inches
found with a multitude of clones having decimated an oleander in a matter
of hours

SC located
Id positive, 12/3/2007, Kiawah Island, Charleston County

Caterpillar
Oleander Caterpillar (Syntomeida epilais). The adult is the Polka-Dot Wasp Moth.

 
Apparent Second State Record!
Wide spread in the Neotropics, but most references list it's range in the U.S. as restricted to Florida. However, Featured Creatures lists it's U.S. range as, "Florida and coastal regions of southeastern states."
I just searched the South Carolina Moths Searchable Checklist and found one prior SC record from Charleston County on October 27, 2005.
Taking a closer look as Georgia Lepidoptera I see that James Adams lists it for Georgia as well...