Insects · La Saladita, Guerrero

Ornate Bella Moth

Utetheisa ornatrix

The bella moth, ornate moth or rattlebox moth is a moth of the Arctiidae family. It is aposematically colored ranging from pink, red, orange and yellow to white coloration with black markings arranged in varying patterns on its wings. It has a wingspan of 33–46 mm. Moths reside in temperate midwestern and eastern North America as well as throughout Mexico and other parts of Central America. Unlike most moths, the bella moth is diurnal. Formerly, the bella... Most often recorded in Dec, Nov, Jan, Aug.

TaxonomyInsecta › Lepidoptera › Erebidae

Local records7 research-grade observations within about 50 km of La Saladita (the survey box also takes in Zihuatanejo, Ixtapa and Troncones)

Global records9,349 on iNaturalist

Recorded here2021 – 2023

Months recorded near La Saladita

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Recent local sightings

2023-12-31 — observation by zihuadean
2023-11-13 — observation by zihuadean
2023-08-22 — observation by daniel_brito
2023-01-01 — observation by zihuadean
2022-01-29 — observation by zihuadean
2021-12-28 — observation by zihuadean

Interactive card with more photos, sounds and similar species Insects guide iNaturalist Wikipedia

Cite as: “Ornate Bella Moth (Utetheisa ornatrix) at La Saladita”, La Saladita Field Guide, lasaladita.com/species/utetheisa-ornatrix/, updated 2026-09-26. Observation counts and months come from iNaturalist research-grade records within about 50 km of 17.8375°N, 101.7606°W (the survey box also takes in Zihuatanejo, Ixtapa and Troncones); summary text from Wikipedia where present.