Didasys

Abstract: The Double Tufted Wasp Moth, Didasys belae Grote (Fig. 1), is one of eastern North America’s most beautiful tiger moths. Adults are scarce in collections, in large measure because the species is extremely local, but also because Didasys is believed to be diurnal or crepuscular and closely tied to its hostplant, Fuirena scirpoidea Michaux (southern umbrella sedge). Despite the moth’s broad distribution in Florida, the early stages of Didasys were unknown prior to this report (Heppner 2007). Didasys belae occurs from Monroe County north to Escambia County, Florida. There is also a specimen from Delchamps, Mobile County, Alabama collected in August 1933 (Vernon A. Brou, Jr. personal communication). While adults are seen in a variety of habitats, the species is most frequently encountered in marshlands (Kimball 1965) and other wetlands. The adults occur nearly year-round in southern Florida. JS discovered the larva by scouring a marsh along Lake Mary Jane in Orange County (Fig. 2), where the adults can be found flying or resting on various plants including the host. Larvae were found resting upon and were reared to maturity on Fuirena scirpoidea. Below we describe the insect’s early stages, emphasizing the last instar larva, and provide notes on the insect’s life history.