Unlike most moths that are nocturnal, the rattlebox moth, or more properly, the ornate bella moth, is active during the day. The larval host plant are members of the Crotalaria species, which explains the “rattle” in its name in Greek. According to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences: “The name Crotalaria originates from the Greek root “crotal” which means “a rattle”. It is the same root word as used in the genus name for rattle snakes, […]

Categories: Nature • Tags: Crotalaria, ORCA, Ornate Bella Moth, Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area, Rattlebox Moth, Utetheisa ornatrix