The air at the churchyard was filled with the scent of the Murraya paniculata - orange jasmine blooms. Heavy, sweet and alluring. 😅
I paused, took it in and smiled. Then I reached out, cut a branch off as always, and continued on my way.
A few steps ahead, I spotted it - a vibrant colored flash of black, yellow, and blue striped insect moving between the blooms. I'm not sure if it was pollinating or just drinking the nectar.
"*What a stunning insect", I exclaimed.
Camera ready, I moved closer to capture it, but I was unable to get a clear shot because it kept ducking behind petals.
"*You can hide all you can, but I'll surely get you.", I said. 😂
I was still holding the jasmine branch which I had earlier cut to take home, so I tried something simple.
I held the branch near the flower wasp was on, and just as I thought, it climbed on it.
Smart work. Lol.
Slowly, I pulled the branch out, and finally had some clear shots.
Before I picked it up with the branch I was holding.
Google lens gave it's name as Euchromia lethe, also known as Wasp moth or Madagascar moth, formerly Handmaiden moth. Family: Erebidae. Subfamily: Arctiinae - tiger moth group.
Interesting name. First time seeing the moth and I was drawn by its vibrant hues.
Here's something to know about the Euchromia lethe.
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They're masters of mimicry, often acting like wasps, although they're not. With their black- yellow-blue stripes, they tend to make predators think they're wasps or bees, and not hunt them.
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Unlike most moths, Euchromia lethe fly during the day, and equally feed on nectars like butterflies.
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Also, they're kind of toxic and mostly taste bad due to the plants they feed on as caterpillars.
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Euchromia species are common across West Africa and Asia. They love gardens with white flowers. Little wonder I found this one enjoying the bloom in the churchyard garden.
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Are they harmful? Not really, but the caterpillar can cause skin irritation for those who have sensitive skins.
And that's a wrap. Have you come across this vibrant insect before?
Author's Photos
Posted Using INLEO
