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Black Witch Moth

The Black Witch Moth (Ascalapha odorata), or Bat Moth, is a large bat-shaped, dark-colored nocturnal moth. The moth is found in the southern United States, Mexico and Central America, and ranges as far south as the Buenos Aires province in Argentina. It is the largest noctuid in the continental United States.

It is often mistaken for a bat which it somewhat resembles. It has a wing span of up to 7 inches. Females are slightly larger and lighter than males. Females have a white, sometimes iridescent stripe across their wings with wings open. Males have the plain, grey-brown mottled pattern familiar in many moths, but with small dark eyespots on each forewing.

Black Witch Moth
Black Witch Moth