Scarlet-bodied Wasp Moth, Cosmosoma myrodoraimage credit: c_youngstrom

Scarlet-bodied Wasp Moth, Cosmosoma myrodoraimage credit: Vivid Visionary
Scarlet-bodied Wasp Moth, Cosmosoma myrodoraimage credit: boondockphotography
Habitat: Florida, USA
Status: No conservation concerns

So if you’re a Scarlet-bodied Wasp Moth (Cosmosoma myrodora) and have just landed yourself a sweet little bride, you’re probably looking forward to the er, honeymoon if you will. But in order to consumate the marriage without the risk of a pesky predator interrupting the moment, the male moth employs an interesting strategy…

He covers his love in a veil of poisonous toxins from the Dogfennel plant which he had eaten earlier that day especially for the occasion. The Scarlet-bodied Wasp Moth is the only known insect to transfer a chemical defense in this way.

Oh, and on top of it all these moths look like really trippy wasps. Super bad-ass man!