Is it a wasp? Is it a moth? It’s actually a Polka-Dot Wasp Moth. A colorful insect native to tropical climates, including parts of Florida. This one features a damaged wing, but it’s making do, successfully gathering nectar from the pansies.
Moths tend to get a bad wrap in the garden, many see them as unattractive or even scary, but they’re actually phenomenal pollinators and never sting or bite.
And how this species reproduces is fascinating and kind of romantic. According to the University of Florida, the female will perch on its host plant, oleander, and omit an ultrasonic acoustic signal (which we can’t hear) to attract male moths from great distances. Once they meet up, they’ll perform a courtship duet of acoustic calls until they mate a few hours before dawn.