Page 585 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Erebidae
DISTRIBUTION North and South America, from Nova Scotia south to Argentina,
including the Caribbean
HABITAT Meadows and forest edges, in close association with host plants
HOST PLANTS Rattlebox plants in the genus Crotalaria (Fabaceae family)
NOTE Brightly striped caterpillar whose colors advertise its
unpleasant taste
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but common

ADULT WINGSPAN
1
–1¾ in (30–45 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
1
–1
in (30–40 mm)
UTETHEISA ORNATRIX
ORNATE BELLA MOTH 583

(LINNAEUS, 1758)

Initially, Ornate Bella Moth caterpillars feed in groups on
the underside of leaves but are solitary during later instars
as they seek out and penetrate the seedpods of rattlebox plants
in order to consume nutritious, alkaloid-rich seeds. From these
they derive not only nutrients but also toxic chemicals called
pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are passed on to the adult and
help protect against predators at all stages of development.

Growing rapidly, the larvae reach the nal instar in three weeks
and spin spiderweb-like silk, with which to enclose the pupae
in a loose layer.

For its intriguing handling of the toxic alkaloids, which are also
transformed by males into pheromones, the species has served as
a model for research into chemical ecology. It is closely related The Ornate Bella Moth caterpillar is
to about 40 members of the genus Utetheisa, which form several aposematically colored in orange-and-black
stripes, with a red head—a pattern memorable
distinct subgenera and are found mostly in the tropics. The adult to potential predators. The width of the orange
is a colorful, day- ying moth. stripes is variable, with some individuals more

orange-colored, some speckled with white, while
others are almost entirely black. The primary
setae are black, with longer white setae at the
front and back.

Actual size