Black Witch
Ascalapha odorata (Linnaeus, 1758)
Family: Erebidae
Subfamily: Erebinae
Identification: Easily recognized by its large size and pointed forewing, which is blackish to brownish with typical noctuid pattern of lines and spots. Note large oval patch at outer margin, containing 2 rounded spots. Pinkish white bands beyond postmedial lines of forewing and hindwing in females, absent in males.
Wing Span: 11 - 15 cm.
Life History:
Flight:
Caterpillar Hosts: Cassia and catclaw.
Adult Food: Tree sap, overripe fruit.
Habitat:
Range: Tropical; regularly present in S. Florida and S. Texas in all months. Individuals migrate northward as far as Newfoundland and Minnesota, usually between July and October. Found northward more often than the Owl Moth (Thysania zenobia).
Conservation:
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs:
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 25 - 48 of 958 verified sightings
Observation date: Feb 19, 2024
Submitted by: Tiger9415
Region: Volusia County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Feb 19, 2024
Observation date: Feb 16, 2024
Submitted by: Drigets
Region: Maui County, Hawaii, United States
Verified by: jmgesell
Verified date: Feb 17, 2024
Observation date: Feb 03, 2024
Submitted by: AdirondackJim
Region: Kauai County, Hawaii, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Feb 04, 2024
Observation date: Oct 17, 2023
Submitted by: Elizabeth Wolfe
Region: Hamilton County, Tennessee, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Oct 20, 2023
Observation date: Sep 07, 2023
Submitted by: becky.weber123@...
Region: Hillsborough County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Sep 07, 2023
Observation date: Sep 05, 2023
Submitted by: Sect
Region: Sussex County, Delaware, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Sep 06, 2023
Observation date: Aug 30, 2023
Submitted by: rob77897@gmail.com
Region: Manatee County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Sep 01, 2023
Observation date: Aug 12, 2016
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: BAMONA
Verified date: Aug 25, 2023
Observation date: Jul 07, 2023
Submitted by: KraigK
Region: Quintana Roo, Mexico
Verified by: BAMONA
Verified date: Aug 25, 2023
Observation date: Jun 26, 2017
Submitted by: Christinalea
Region: Texas, Travis County, United States
Verified by: BAMONA
Verified date: Aug 25, 2023
Observation date: Jul 20, 2020
Submitted by: gemini22
Region: Bernalillo County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Aug 22, 2023
Observation date: Jul 02, 2020
Submitted by: cheikoop
Region: Los Alamos County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Aug 22, 2023
Observation date: Jun 09, 2022
Submitted by: tjay13
Region: Santa Fe County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Aug 21, 2023
Observation date: Jun 25, 2018
Submitted by: Abqsinger
Region: Bernalillo County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Aug 21, 2023
Observation date: Jun 29, 2018
Submitted by: dwbonner
Region: Taos County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Aug 21, 2023
Observation date: Jun 28, 2018
Submitted by: Tom Lantz
Region: Bernalillo County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Aug 21, 2023
Observation date: Jun 20, 2019
Submitted by: DebW
Region: Curry County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Aug 21, 2023
Observation date: Jul 03, 2020
Submitted by: DJojola1
Region: Chaves County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Aug 21, 2023
Observation date: Jul 05, 2020
Submitted by: AmyLewis
Region: Santa Fe County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Aug 21, 2023
Observation date: Jul 06, 2020
Submitted by: akadrgadget
Region: New Mexico, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Aug 21, 2023
Observation date: Jul 06, 2020
Submitted by: kmilliorn
Region: New Mexico, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Aug 21, 2023
Observation date: Jun 12, 2021
Submitted by: libweb
Region: Bernalillo County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Aug 21, 2023
Observation date: Jun 27, 2021
Submitted by: MattK
Region: Otero County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Aug 21, 2023
Observation date: Jul 04, 2021
Submitted by: pinon11
Region: Santa Fe County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Aug 21, 2023
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