Painted Lichen Moth vs Bella Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Painted Lichen Moth | Bella Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hypoprepia fucosa | Utetheisa ornatrix |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Arctiidae | Arctiidae |
| Size | 25-33 mm wingspan | 33-46 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Beaches & Coastal |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Eastern North America | Southeastern United States, Central and South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Painted Lichen Moth
A small moth with distinctive grey forewings bearing bright red-orange stripes running from base to tip. It is one of the lichen moths, whose larvae feed on lichens and algae.
Did You Know?
Its bold warning coloration advertises chemical defenses derived from the lichen compounds its larvae consume.
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.
Did You Know?
Males transfer protective alkaloids to females during mating, which she then deposits onto her eggs to protect them.