10/08/2026
BLACK WITCH MOTH (Ascalapha odorata) - I’ve waited for years to see this beautiful, gargantuan beast of moth in Bermuda! Meet the Black Witch Moth! With a wingspan of about 7 inches, it is by far the largest moth, and insect, to visit our country. Female moths lay their eggs on plants throughout their breeding range in Spring and Summer across the southern tips of Mexico, Florida, as well as South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Every year, post-egg laying, the moths migrate northward into the southern and central United States; migrants depart as early as June, although they are flying in mass by October. Approximately 900 miles of ocean lies between Bermuda and the Caribbean. So, with an average flight speed of 9 miles per hour, a Black Witch Moth from the Caribbean must fly for about 100 miles, non-stop (or, 3 days), over open ocean to reach Bermuda. Its northbound migration is one way, because adults only have a lifespan of a couple weeks, and die in the US. This species is nocturnal, preferring to rest in shaded areas during the day, and takes to the wing at night. To feed on the juices of rotting or ripening fruits, like bananas, as well as nectar and tree sap.
The Black Witch Moth is considered a rare waif to our country. This individual was found by Myles Darrell in his private garden on August 1st, 2026. Its arrival coincided with the strong, south-southwesterly winds Bermuda experienced several days prior. Although it isn’t a bird, I certainly drove as fast as I could to see and photograph it like it was one! I was immediately intimated by its large size; this female, which is the only s*x to sport that buffy brown band across the wings, must have had a wingspan of about 8 inches. In addition to their large size, Black Witch Moths can also be identified by the two “comma” markings on their upper wings, and overall dark hues of purple and brown on the wings. Because it perched on the underside of a short potting bench, I had to lie on my back and look upwards at it with my camera. There was only about 2 feet of space between my face and it, talk about up close and personal!
Have you ever seen a Black Witch Moth in Bermuda? Let us know when and where in the comments below! Photograph by Dr. Miguel A. Mejías
