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 977 verified sightings
Observation date: Aug 03, 2024
Submitted by: P.W. Boyd
Region: Fairfax County, Virginia, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Aug 05, 2024
Observation date: Aug 03, 2024
Submitted by: KarenLynn
Region: St. Clair County, Illinois, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Aug 04, 2024
Observation date: Aug 02, 2024
Submitted by: Robyn Culpepper
Region: Perquimans County, North Carolina, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Aug 03, 2024
Observation date: Aug 01, 2024
Submitted by: KariZee
Region: Maricopa County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Aug 02, 2024
Observation date: Jul 01, 2024
Submitted by: cjb_willard
Region: Greene County, Missouri, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Jul 30, 2024
Observation date: Jul 23, 2024
Submitted by: Lorilake
Region: Morrill County, Nebraska, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jul 24, 2024
Observation date: Jul 22, 2024
Submitted by: Nursecarter22
Region: Brunswick County, North Carolina, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jul 23, 2024
Observation date: Jul 13, 2024
Submitted by: MelanieGaddy
Region: Georgetown County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: Dennis Forsythe
Verified date: Jul 13, 2024
Observation date: Jul 12, 2024
Submitted by: groehm
Region: Van Wert County, Ohio, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jul 13, 2024
Observation date: Jul 10, 2024
Submitted by: rmbarker44
Region: Texas, Matagorda County, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jul 11, 2024
Observation date: Jul 09, 2024
Submitted by: Nancee Cobb
Region: Bay County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jul 09, 2024
Observation date: Jul 06, 2024
Submitted by: Hwessling
Region: Jessamine County, Kentucky, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jul 07, 2024
Observation date: Jul 03, 2024
Submitted by: Sara.lubinski
Region: Santa Rosa County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jul 04, 2024
Observation date: Jun 29, 2024
Submitted by: GLG
Region: Walton County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jul 03, 2024
Observation date: Jun 30, 2024
Submitted by: polylepis
Region: Galveston County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jul 02, 2024
Observation date: Jun 28, 2024
Submitted by: Crazynana
Region: Marion County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jun 28, 2024
Observation date: Jun 25, 2024
Submitted by: BCWaite48
Region: Kent County, Michigan, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Jun 26, 2024
Observation date: Jun 17, 2024
Submitted by: TiffanyKegley
Region: Buffalo County, Nebraska, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jun 19, 2024
Observation date: Dec 26, 2018
Submitted by: chherrmann
Region: The Bahamas
Verified by: BAMONA
Verified date: Apr 09, 2024
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
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