Insect
Black Witch
Ascalapha odorataAlso known as Bat Moth, Mariposa De La Muerte, Duppy Bat
Black witch moths navigate darkness with an erratic, buoyant flight that frequently leads observers to mistake them for small bats. Adults emerge in peak numbers following rainy seasons across the Neotropics, sometimes migrating thousands of kilometers northward into Canada. During the day, they press flat against sheltered surfaces under eaves, bridges, and hollow trees, relying on cryptic dark patterns to blend into deep shadow.
NocturnalMigratoryPollinator
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyOverripe fruit juices, Tree sap, Flower nectar
Predators
- Bats
- Owls
- Spiders
ThreatsArtificial light pollution, pesticide usage, and vehicle collisions
HabitatsTropical dry forests, humid woodlands, scrublands, and suburban yards
Life spanAdults live 2–4 weeks
Classification
- OrderLepidoptera
- FamilyErebidae
- GenusAscalapha
- SpeciesAscalapha odorata
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Viewing at Night: Check lit porches, carports, and exterior walls late at night or before dawn.
- Approaching Roosts: Move slowly when inspecting daytime roosts beneath eaves to avoid flushing them.
- Attracting Adults: Set out mashed fermented bananas mixed with molasses on outdoor surfaces at dusk.
Predator (c) Fyn Kynd, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Host Plant Don A.W. Carlson / CC BY 2.5 · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Bernard DUPONT, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) José Belem Hernández Díaz, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by José Belem Hernández Díaz · cc-by
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Found in Collections
Species set
Moonlight Marvels
Black Witch is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.
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