This is a Bella moth. According to the University of Florida's website

"The biology of the bella moth is intricately intertwined with its Crotalaria host plants. Crotalaria (particularly the seeds) are laced with pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Bella moth larvae sequester these chemicals and become poisonous (and usually repellent) to predators. The alkaloids are retained in the pupal and ultimately the adult stages. Thus these stages also are poisonous to predators."

The common name for Crotalaria is Rattlebox. There are a number of rattlebox species in Florida. These pics are of nonnative species. The first is Smooth Rattlebox (Crotalaria pallida).


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------smooth rattlebox Dec 20 2011 01.jpg

------smooth rattlebox Dec 20 2011 02.jpg


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RKS #2911