Exotic invasive species are a continuing problem for panhandle Florida and many other places in the country. The non-natives are brought into an ideal environment where they can grow and proliferate with unrestrained abound.
The cost of their control can be measured in millions of dollars annually and in countless numbers of native species pushed out, some to the point of extinction. These alien invaders relentlessly colonize undeveloped areas, the cultivated landscapes of panhandle Florida and agricultural acreage.
One critical advantage the invasives have is nothing in north Florida’s environment preys upon them. Fortunately, there are a few exceptions.
The Rattlebox Moth has a taste for Crotalaria pallida, the toxic weed with the common name Rattlebox (among others). The label originates with the rattling sound produced by the seeds in this plant’s dried pods.
Crotalaria is capable of reaching a height of seven feet in full sun and has dense foliage which produces heavy shade beneath it. Frequently appearing in clusters, it will shade out competitors.
The Rattlebox Moth is a vital form of natural control for the toxic weed Crotalaria pallida. The moth often uses the plant as one of its larval feeding sites.
While producing bright yellow flower spikes, it is also a high-volume seed producer. A single plant can produce multiple hundreds of tiny seeds which can be scattered by wind and water events.
Some of the seeds will lay in the soil for decades, waiting for the correct environmental conditions to germinate. Compounding the problem, this weed is toxic to grazing livestock and causes gastric distress.
Utetheisa bella, as the Rattlebox Moth is scientifically known, uses this pest species as one of its larval state feeding sites. Clovers and ferns are additional sources of nutrition for this moth’s caterpillars.
A smaller moth, it has a wingspan of less than two inches. What it lacks in size it makes up for in bright colors, even in its larval state.
The forewings are shades of yellow to orange with flecks of black and white. The hindwings are a neon pink with an irregular black border.
The caterpillar is distinctive, with a red head and a yellow base color. There are side white stripes with black patches.
This day-flying moth stands out from the green background where it spends its days. Luckily for this obvious insect, birds are repulsed by the taste of both the caterpillar and adult.
Still, this small moth can disappear from sight quickly when startled. It will settle on stems or grass blades and wrap its wings around its perch. The action hides the bright colors on its wings.
The Rattlebox Moth is found in coastal areas from Florida to New England and some inland locations. It is a member of a genus whose members inhabit warmer latitudes across the globe, regions which support the growth of tender vegetation for caterpillar development.
In northern regions they are active during the summer months, but in panhandle Florida they are feeding on crotalaria year-round. Regrettably, this moth’s reproduction rate is unable to match that of the invasive weed.
Creating an ecological balance for these problem species has the least negative effects as a method of control. These protocols are, however, very challenging to fashion without generating additional problems.
So be kind to your Rattlebox Moths. They are doing good work. They just need to eat more.
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