Black Witch Moth - (Ascalapha odorata)

The Black Witch is a huge moth that prefers a tropical habitat, but sometimes finds itself in the strangest places.

Staff Writer (1/24/2017): A member of the Lesser Underwing Moth family, the Black Witch makes up for a lack of flashy wing color by growing to an enormous size. The normal climate of the Black Witch is tropical, which makes sightings in the U.S and Canada both rare and a treat. Stormy weather in the more tropical parts of Mexico and southern tip of Florida can blow these moths north of their normal range. It is possible for a hurricane in the Gulf to create a 'fallout' consisting of a large population of moths, cloistering them in the hurricane's eye until it dissolves. Warmer summer weather further north can also allow this moth to travel to regions usually unfamiliar with its presence.

Like many moths, they are attracted to lights at night and are mostly nocturnal. Their coloration means nightfall offers camouflage from would-be predators like birds.

The larvae (caterpillars) feed on acacia shrubs and cassias. They are gray with ivory and grown markings with black stripes on their back and sides.

©2005-2017 www.InsectIdentification.org. All Rights Reserved. No Reproduction Permitted. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from www.InsectIdentification.org is strictly prohibited. Material presented throughout this website is for entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for scientific research or medical advice (insect bites, etc...). Please consult licensed, degreed professionals for such information. Email corrections / Comments to InsectIdentification at Gmail dot com.

Details of the:
Black Witch Moth

Category: Butterfly or Moth
Common name: Black Witch Moth
Scientific Name: Ascalapha odorata

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Lepidoptera

Family: Noctuidae

Genus: Ascalapha

Species: odorata

Size (Adult, Length): 100mm to 180mm (3.94in to 7.09in)

Identifying Colors: black, brown, gray, blue, yellow, white, green, violet

Additional Descriptors: dark, huge, eyespot, rare, flying, large, wavy, enormous, furry, hairy

North American Reach (Though Not Limited To*): Florida, Texas, Mexico occasionally straying north

* Keep in mind that an insect's reach is not limited by lines on a map and therefore may appear in areas/regions/states beyond those listed above.

BUGFINDER: What Kind of Bug is This...

BUGFINDER allows for a quick search of the Insect Identification database by selecting primary color, secondary color, number of legs and the territory / state in question. If only one color is present on your insect, select it again as its SECONDARY color. Remember that the more details you can offer, the better your chances of finding a match. As a rule of thumb, six legs are typical for most insects whereas spiders generally have eight legs.

Primary Color:

Secondary Color:

Number of Legs:

State / Province:

General Category: