ID this moth please
Hello-
This hug moth flew into my house tonight and I have never seen a moth this big. I am in Los Angeles. This moth is as big if not bigger than a Marnarch butter fly. Will this moth get into my clothes? The wing span is around 5 inches. Thanks
Clay
Hi Clay,
This is a Black Witch, a species common in Mexico. For some inexplicable reason, the species flies north, as far as Canada, and there are sightings from virtually all of the continental United States. The species also breeds in Hawaii. There is a report of caterpillars found on Acacia in West Los Angeles, and they are believed to also breed in Texas and Florida. They will not harm your clothes, but there are numerous superstitions concerning the Black Witch from Mexico, Hawaii and other places where it is commonly found.