Wasp Moth

Amata passalis (?)

an Arctiidae, possibly Amata passalis, from Kerio Valley, Kenya, Africa. December 2014. Photo © by Michael Plagens

Observed at Kerio Valley, Kenya, Africa. Dec. 2014. It is visiting flowers of the exotic invasive Lantana (Lantana camara).

It is likely that this insect is an example of a Muellerian Mimic. Many members of the Arctiinae have toxins sequestered into their bodies so that a bird or other predator would find them distasteful and generally leave them alone. Wasps also are avoided because of their stings.

Arctiidae -- Moth Family (Erebidae)

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Kenya Natural History

Copyright Michael J. Plagens, page created 15 Oct. 2015