Hypercompe is a genus of moths of the familyArctiidae. There are over 80 species found throughout the Americas. Several species were formerly separated in Ecpantheria which is now regarded as a junior synonym. They are typically large moths with white forewings heavily spotted with black, and brightly-colored abdomens which are exposed when the moth is threatened. This is a form of aposematism; they produce copious amounts of foul-smelling defensive chemicals, which they ooze from special points of weakness on the thorax, to discourage would-be predators without having to be eaten.citation needed
