Photographed on June 24, 2020 at 8pm in Montgomery County, Texas. The erebid moth Ascalapha odorata, commonly known as the black witch moth, is a large bat-shaped, dark-colored nocturnal moth, ranging from Brazil to the southern United States. It is the largest noctuid moth in the continental United States. This one measured about 6″ from wingtip to wingtip. In south Texas, a tradition holds that if a black witch moth lands above your door and stays there for a while you will win the lottery. I’ll think I’ll go buy a ticket.
