Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Composia fidelissima Herrich-Schäffer, 1866
Numbers
There are three species of Composia, but only C. fidelissima occurs in the U.S.
Identification
Distinctive day-flying moth found in South Florida.
Range
South Florida, West Indies -
Map - MPG
Habitat
Tropical hardwood thickets (hammocks)
Food
Adults take nectar, larval hosts:
Devil's Potato - Echites umbellata - Apocynaceae
Oleander - Nerium oleander - Apocynaceae
Leafless Swallowwart - Cynanchum scoparium - Apocynaceae
Bay Bean (Canavalia rosea)
Baybean - Canavalia rosea - Fabaceae
Life Cycle
1)eggs 2)eggs and newly hatched larvae 3)larva 4)pupa 5)adult
Print References
Covell, p. 59, plate 11 #7
(2)
Holland, W.J. 1903. The Moth Book. Doubleday, Page & Co., New York. 479 pp.
Kimball, C.P. 1965. The Lepidoptera of Florida; an annotated checklist. Arthropods of Florida and Neighboring Land Areas, Vol. 1. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry. v + 363 pp.
Wagner, D.L. 2005. Caterpillars of Eastern North America: A Guide to Identification and Natural History. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ. 496 pp., 1,200+ color photos.