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 1 - 24 of 982 verified sightings
Observation date: Aug 03, 2025
Submitted by: Lydiamurdock
Region: Salt Lake County, Utah, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Aug 04, 2025
Observation date: Aug 02, 2025
Submitted by: andiegroff
Region: Kendall County, Illinois, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Aug 03, 2025
Observation date: Jul 26, 2025
Submitted by: kmain
Region: Pinellas County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jul 28, 2025
Observation date: Jul 10, 2025
Submitted by: B.k
Region: Pinellas County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jul 27, 2025
Observation date: Jul 24, 2024
Submitted by: Shannon87
Region: Polk County, Iowa, United States
Verified by: jmgesell
Verified date: Jul 05, 2025
Observation date: Jun 16, 2025
Submitted by: C_surrett417
Region: Henderson County, North Carolina, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jun 18, 2025
Observation date: Aug 19, 2024
Submitted by: MandiMasters
Region: Larimer County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: charleseharp
Verified date: Apr 27, 2025
Observation date: Aug 26, 2024
Submitted by: Valdyr
Region: Jefferson County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: charleseharp
Verified date: Apr 27, 2025
Observation date: Jan 25, 2025
Submitted by: shayvana
Region: Honolulu County, Hawaii, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Jan 29, 2025
Observation date: Oct 13, 2024
Submitted by: Ron Sprouse
Region: Texas, Real County, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jan 24, 2025
Observation date: Nov 15, 2024
Submitted by: Valu Storage
Region: Bell County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jan 24, 2025
Observation date: Dec 22, 2024
Submitted by: lebraley
Region: Honolulu County, Hawaii, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Dec 22, 2024
Observation date: Oct 21, 2024
Submitted by: Charlie Doggett
Region: Costa Rica
Verified by: Charlie Doggett
Verified date: Nov 03, 2024
Observation date: Oct 17, 2024
Submitted by: Charlie Doggett
Region: Costa Rica
Verified by: Charlie Doggett
Verified date: Nov 03, 2024
Observation date: Jul 25, 2020
Submitted by: bentert
Region: Collier County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Oct 27, 2024
Observation date: Aug 31, 2024
Submitted by: wgrosenbach
Region:
Verified by: BAMONA
Verified date: Oct 17, 2024
Observation date: Oct 08, 2024
Submitted by: Ceebee3
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Oct 08, 2024
Observation date: Sep 27, 2024
Submitted by: mountainairdispatch
Region: Torrance County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Sep 27, 2024
Observation date: Aug 01, 2024
Submitted by: Greg Sievert
Region: Lyon County, Kansas, United States
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: Sep 11, 2024
Observation date: Sep 02, 2024
Submitted by: pigletme
Region: Idaho County, Idaho, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Sep 10, 2024
Observation date: Jul 24, 2024
Submitted by: NickiP
Region: Harris County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Sep 05, 2024
Observation date: Jul 25, 2024
Submitted by: tericshea
Region: Comal County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Sep 05, 2024
Observation date: Jul 28, 2024
Submitted by: LoriannMM
Region: Texas, Travis County, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Sep 05, 2024
Observation date: Jul 28, 2024
Submitted by: 82BeaMeR
Region: Nowata County, Oklahoma, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Sep 05, 2024
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