Bella Moth vs Five-spotted Burnet

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Bella Moth Five-spotted Burnet
Scientific Name Utetheisa ornatrix Zygaena trifolii
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Arctiidae Zygaenidae
Size 33-46 mm wingspan Wingspan 30-38mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Meadows
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Southeastern United States, Central and South America Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Bella Moth

A brightly colored moth with pink-orange forewings covered in white and black spots. It sequesters toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids from its host plants for chemical defense.

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Did You Know?

Males transfer protective alkaloids to females during mating, which she then deposits onto her eggs to protect them.

Five-spotted Burnet

A small day-flying moth with glossy blue-black forewings bearing five red spots and entirely red hindwings. It is found on damp meadows.

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Did You Know?

It prefers damper habitats than the similar six-spot burnet and the two species rarely occur together.