Oleander Moth

The Oleander Moth (Syntomeida epilais) is also known by the common names Polka-Dot Wasp Moth and Uncle Sam Moth. It has deeply iridescent dark blue wings with white spots and a bright red patch at the end of its abdomen. This moth is shaped like a wasp and that shape in combination with the brilliant patch of red helps to deter predators.

The caterpillar is a brilliant orange and is covered with tufts of long black hairs. The larvae are gregarious feeders and can mostly defoliate large sections of oleander plants in very short order. The larvae spin a black silk cocoon that protects their cryptically patterned orange and black pupa. The one pictured below was removed from its black silk cocoon without causing harm to the developing moth inside.

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Oleander moths may also be found feeding on devil’s potato vine (Echites umbellata) which may have been their native Florida host before the importation of Oleander to the United States. These moths can be found North into Georgia.