Black Witch Moth

Description:

Ascalapha odorata, commonly known as the Black Witch Moth, is a large bat-shaped, dark-colored nocturnal moth, ranging throughout Central America, from Brazil to the southern United States.
In the folklore of many Central American cultures, it is associated with death or misfortune.
Female moths can attain a wingspan of 17 cm.
Females have a white bar crossing their wings.
The diagnostic marking of this species is a small spot on each forewing shaped like a number nine or a comma.
This spot is often green with orange highlights.
Males are somewhat smaller, reaching 12 cm in width, darker in color and lacking the white bar crossing the wings.

A male. Green Castle Estate, Robins Bay, Ocho Rios, Jamaica, 21 January 2018

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