That diet provides the species a protective defense, because Crotalaria plants and seeds contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids that the Bella moth caterpillars ingest. Interestingly, “because most of common Crotalarias are introduced weedy species and toxic to cattle, the Ornate Bella moth plays a beneficial role by eating their seeds and suppressing their reproduction,” according to University of Florida’s IFAS. This leads to another common name for the Bella moth: rattlebox moth. Host plants for the moth’s caterpillars are both native (four species) and non-native (10 species) Crotalaria, known as rabbit bells, as well as rattlebox for the rattling sound of ripened seed pods. Fortunately, the Bella moth isn’t nocturnal like many of its moth relatives, so you’ve got a better chance of seeing it flitting through the grass in the daylight. And when it folds its wings tightly against a blade of grass, you’ll be hard pressed to spot it. This lovely species is a small one, with a wingspan of only 1.25 to 1.75 inches. In addition, markings also can boast yellow, orange, black and white variations, which make it pretty flashy in the moth world. The dainty Ornate Bella moth has surprised more than one casual observer with a flash of its distinct pink wings-typically visible only when in flight.

Utetheisa ornatrix rle