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noctuidae ascalapha odorata, female
Brown moth with tan strips and black spot on the wings
The black witch moth is found throughout Central America and Mexico, with its distribution extending from Brazil to the southern United States[4]. It is the largest noctuid found in the continental United States[3], Adults feed on overripe rainforest fruit, especially bananas, and larvae consume the leaves of plants. Most of its host plants are legumes. It favors Acacia species, Kentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus), and Candle Bush (Senna alata). It attacks mesquite and edible fig, and can be an agricultural pest. The moth undertakes a northward migration during the late spring and summer, moving up through Central America and entering the northern reaches of its range. During this season individual adults and masses of larvae can be found from Texas to Florida. It is also found in Hawaii, but it is not native to the islands.
Spotted on Mar 31, 2012
Submitted on Apr 21, 2012
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