Rattlebox Moth or Ornate Bella Moth
Utetheisa ornatrix
16.73, -92.93
Field Notes
Description:
A pretty and variable Tiger Moth that is usually diurnal in behavior. They are toxic to predators due to high concentrations of alkaloids obtained from their larval host Rattlebox plants (Crotalaria spp.). Two individuals with different color patterns arrived to my blacklight on the same night (compare pictures 1 and 2). The underwings are black and white. This genus is well-studied for its unusual chemical courtship and mating behavior (see notes). About 2 cm in length. Family Erebidae, Arctiinae.
Habitat:
Came to an ultraviolet light set up along the highway on a cliff between San Cristobal de Las Casas and Tuxtla Gutierrez, km 18.5, 1164 meters elevation.
Notes:
The Bella Moths have a polyandrous mating system, where females mate with multiple males. On average, females mate with four to five males over their lifespan of three to four weeks but can mate with and receive up to thirteen spermatophores. Since spermatophores contain nuptial gifts of pyrrolizidine alkaloid and nutrients, multiple mating helps the female increase the fitness of her offspring. In addition, multiple mating also benefits the female directly. Since the spermatophores are sizeable and can be digested within the female, multiple mating allows females to accrue the resources necessary to produce additional eggs. This is equivalent to a 15% increase in egg production. In addition, multiple mating results in increased transmission of protective alkaloidal gifts to the eggs. (Wikipedia.)
http://www7.inra.fr/papillon/arct_guy/boite_12/texte/u_ornatr.htm
http://www.biodiversidadvirtual.org/insectarium/Utetheisa-ornatrix-orna…
http://www.biodiversidadvirtual.org/insectarium/Utetheisa-ornatrix-(Lin…
http://www.pybio.org/de/14371/utetheisa-ornatrix/
http://www.parfaitimage.com/Heterocera/utetheisa_ornatrix.
htmlhttp://bugguide.net/node/view/358968/bgpage
http://www.learnaboutbutterflies.com/Andes%20-%20Utetheisa%20ornatrix.h…
http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/utetheisa-ornatrix
http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/beneficial/leps/bella_moth.htm
http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/species.php?hodges=8105
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