The black witch moth (Ascalapha odorata) is a large, nocturnal moth known for its dark, bat-like appearance. Females can exhibit wingspans exceeding 20 centimeters, often displaying a distinctive white, pearlescent band across their wings with hints of iridescent purple and pink. Males are typically smaller and more uniformly grayish. This species is found across tropical and subtropical Americas, from the southern United States to Brazil, and in the Caribbean and Hawaii. The moths are also known for their extensive migrations, reaching as far north as Canada.
Adult Black Witch Moth Feeding Habits
Adult black witch moths are nocturnal feeders, consuming liquids using a long, straw-like proboscis. They efficiently imbibe sugary fluids, including nectar from various flowers, contributing to incidental pollination. Their primary diet also includes juices from fermenting or rotting fruits, with bananas being a favored food source, as they are strongly attracted to the volatile alcohol produced during fruit fermentation. They also feed on tree sap from damaged tree bark or natural exudates. This liquid diet supports their adult life, which typically lasts a few weeks.
The Caterpillar’s Diet and Host Plants
Black witch moth caterpillars have a distinct feeding strategy from adults. They are specialized herbivores, primarily consuming leaves of specific host plants from the legume family (Fabaceae). They are nocturnal feeders, moving up branches to feed on younger leaf shoots, and during the day, they often hide in leaf litter or under rocks near their host plants to avoid detection. Common host plants include various species of acacia, mesquite, cassia, senna, and Kentucky coffeetree. While mature larvae can consume older foliage, young caterpillars prefer softer, newer plant parts like flower buds, leaf buds, or young shoots, and may even hide within buds while feeding.
Ecological Role of Their Diet
The feeding habits of black witch moths play a role within their ecosystems. Adult moths consume nectar, contributing to the pollination of certain flowering plants, and also seek sugary liquids from fermenting fruits and tree sap. By consuming decaying fruit, adult moths also participate in nutrient cycling, helping to break down organic matter. Caterpillars function as primary consumers within their host plant communities, impacting the growth and distribution of leguminous plants, and becoming a food source for various other animals like bats, spiders, small rodents, and several bird species. Although they feed on cultivated plants like mesquite, black witch moths are generally not considered significant agricultural pests.