August 22, 2021

I am a Florida Garden Spider

I eat insects such as bees and flies,

But I will not eat the Ornate Bella Moth - 

They protect themselves from their own demise.

Both the male and the female Ornate Bella Moth

Obtain pyrrolizidine alkaloids from plants

The male gives the female more of that 

When they are involved in romance. 

The female passes the chemical

On to her eggs which makes them taste bitter

If I catch an Ornate Bella moth in my web

I set it free and wait for a tastier critter.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources:  https://www.jstor.org/stable/2366497 (If you can't access this article, just sign up for a free JSTOR account, which lets you read 100 free research articles every month. This is one of my favorite sources.)

Photos and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 29, 2019

Location: Melbourne, Hundred Acre Hollows

I am an Ornate Bella Moth
I'm pinkish-orange and I am diurnal
This means you can find me during the day
Unlike most moths, who are nocturnal.

Sources: UF|IFAS Featured Creatures - Ornate bella moth

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

November 16, 2022

I am an Ornate Bella Moth

I can be found from Nebraska down to the Antilles

When I was a pupae I rested under a layer of silk

Which, although pretty, was not lace from Chantilly. 

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/beneficial/leps/bella_moth.htm

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

March 18, 2024

I am an Ornate Bella Moth

I'm seen more commonly than most moths

That is because I'm diurnal

If you come too close to me, I'll fly off.

Location: UF DeLuca Preserve 2024 Bioblitz

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/Creatures/beneficial/leps/bella_moth.htm

Photo and text © 2024 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

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June 6, 2022

I am an Ornate Bella Moth

Unlike most moths, I am diurnal

This means I'm active during the day

And I help suppress Crotalaria seed dispersal.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Sebastian 

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/beneficial/leps/bella_moth.htm

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

October 23, 2020

I am an Ornate Bella Moth,

I rely on immature seeds of Crotalaria plants

They make me repulsive to other critters

Such as Scrub Jays and some species of ants. 

Location: Fellsmere Headwaters

Sources: http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/beneficial/leps/bella_moth.htm

http://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/phag/files/2012/10/rattlebox.pdf

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson