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 121 - 144 of 970 verified sightings
Observation date: Sep 13, 2018
Submitted by: Karrion
Region: Los Angeles County, California, United States
Verified by: mcduck
Verified date: Sep 07, 2022
Observation date: Jul 27, 2022
Submitted by: Lmilberg
Region: Cole County, Missouri, United States
Verified by: jamesdurbin
Verified date: Sep 05, 2022
Observation date: Sep 03, 2022
Submitted by: Mblackburn
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Sep 03, 2022
Observation date: Sep 04, 2021
Submitted by: ksharum
Region: Santa Barbara County, California, United States
Verified by: mcduck
Verified date: Aug 31, 2022
Observation date: Sep 05, 2021
Submitted by: Pinkpoodle626
Region: Los Angeles County, California, United States
Verified by: mcduck
Verified date: Aug 31, 2022
Observation date: Aug 25, 2022
Submitted by: jskinner
Region: Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Aug 27, 2022
Observation date: Feb 28, 2019
Submitted by: Charlie Doggett
Region: Costa Rica
Verified by: Charlie Doggett
Verified date: Aug 25, 2022
Observation date: Aug 03, 2016
Submitted by: Charlie Doggett
Region: Costa Rica
Verified by: Charlie Doggett
Verified date: Aug 25, 2022
Observation date: Nov 06, 2015
Submitted by: Charlie Doggett
Region: Costa Rica
Verified by: Charlie Doggett
Verified date: Aug 25, 2022
Observation date: Nov 03, 2015
Submitted by: Charlie Doggett
Region: Costa Rica
Verified by: Charlie Doggett
Verified date: Aug 25, 2022
Observation date: Aug 12, 2018
Submitted by: amparrish15
Region: Costa Rica
Verified by: Charlie Doggett
Verified date: Aug 18, 2022
Observation date: Jun 22, 2022
Submitted by: mellowmind84
Region: Coconino County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: kellyrichers
Verified date: Aug 16, 2022
Observation date: Jun 22, 2022
Submitted by: mellowmind84
Region: Coconino County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: kellyrichers
Verified date: Aug 16, 2022
Observation date: Aug 10, 2022
Submitted by: Charles_Mills
Region: Bowie County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Aug 11, 2022
Observation date: Aug 07, 2022
Submitted by: Rhonda Berger
Region: Oakland County, Michigan, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Aug 07, 2022
Observation date: Jun 18, 2021
Submitted by: jrfleullan
Region: Chatham County, Georgia, United States
Verified by: Mikelchap
Verified date: Aug 04, 2022
Observation date: Jul 29, 2022
Submitted by: JKSTx5
Region: Dallas County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Aug 01, 2022
Observation date: Sep 09, 2015
Submitted by: Dennis Forsythe
Region: Charleston County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: Dennis Forsythe
Verified date: Jul 14, 2022
Observation date: Jul 05, 2022
Submitted by: WitchMoth
Region: Wayne County, Indiana, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jul 07, 2022
Observation date: Jul 03, 2022
Submitted by: JacquiL
Region: Cameron County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jul 05, 2022
Observation date: Jun 07, 2022
Submitted by: tjabour
Region: Palm Beach County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jun 10, 2022
Observation date: Jun 07, 2022
Submitted by: SteveSivek
Region: Harris County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jun 08, 2022
Observation date: Nov 10, 2018
Submitted by: danslos
Region: Los Angeles County, California, United States
Verified by: mcduck
Verified date: Jun 07, 2022
Observation date: Apr 07, 2022
Submitted by: Laurlen
Region: Honolulu County, Hawaii, United States
Verified by: jmgesell
Verified date: Apr 07, 2022
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