Utetheisa
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Utetheisa | ||||||||||||||
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 Crimson-speckled Flunkey, Utetheisa pulchella
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Several, see text |
Utetheisa is a genus of arctiid moths. Caterpillars feed on Crotalaria (rattlebox), and hence the moth genus is often called rattlebox moths. Species of this Utetheisa are usually bright and colorful.
Species include:
- Utetheisa lotrix
- Bella moth or Ornate moth, Utetheisa ornatrix (Linnaeus, 1758)
- Crimson-speckled Flunkey, Utetheisa pulchella (Linnaeus, 1758)
- Utetheisa pulchelloides
[edit] External links
- Male moth's sperm package includes 'life assurance policy,' Cornell biologists learn Cornell University News
[edit] Additional Information
1)A spectacular species, but unfortunately only a sporadic migrant to this country with around 100 records in the last century.
The species occurs naturally in the Mediterranean and North Africa, and most immigrants are presumed to have originated there. Moths may turn up at any time during the summer or autumn, but most records are from the southern counties or offshore islands.
Wild larvae have not been encountered in Britain, but abroad they feed on a range of herbaceous plants.
2)An adult was spotted in the outskirts of Bangalore, India recently (Sep 2007)
