The Big Dark Moth

There was a note on the living room TV set this morning: “Diana, call mother.” What my mother-in-law wanted to tell my wife was that there was a big moth in my brother-in-law’s room, and could she please get rid of it.

Naturally, being the ‘faidy cat that she is, my wife headed upstairs with a broom and a dustpan, with the intention of sweeping/chasing the moth through the house to an open lanai door, where hopefully it would fly out.

Knowing that she would be upstairs forever, I walked up, saw the moth on the wall, reached for it and gently caught it in my hand. I took it to the lanai and released it. Now what was so hard about THAT? Quick action, problem solved.

We have several of these moths around the house, mostly hanging out in the dark garage. They can be quite startling when they are disturbed and inadvertently head straight for your face. But of course, we all know they are harmless.

This particular species is commonly called a “Black Witch” (Ascalapha odorata), a bat-like moth in the family Noctuidae. In some Latin American countries, they are regarded as harbingers of death. In Hawaii, they are so far reported only on Oahu. Black Witches can attain a wing span of up to 6.5 inches, about the size of ours.

On closer inspection, the moth’s wing markings were spectacular. What a beautiful way to start the day.