La Manzanilla.info Message Board Archives

Another Moth

Posted by Dave W. on January 23, 2015, 7:46 am
189.164.202.80


This moth was in my bodega in October....here in La Manzanilla.
According to Pablo:
It’s called the Black Witch Moth (Ascalapha odorata) or Mariposa de la Muerta in Mexico, where it’s considered a harbinger of death. It also just happens to be THE largest species in North America in the enormous family called Noctuidae.

Thanks again to Pablo for the info.
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Re: Another Moth

Posted by Pablo on January 23, 2015, 8:22 am, in reply to "Another Moth"
96.50.109.80

Aha... the moth parade continues! You're most welcome, Dave. I'm sure others here will appreciate seeing and knowing of this, too.
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Re: Another Moth

Posted by Lisa Preschel on January 23, 2015, 5:39 pm, in reply to "Re: Another Moth"
189.164.204.172

I was also visited last summer by the Black Witch.


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Re: Another Moth

Posted by Siki on January 23, 2015, 11:05 pm, in reply to "Another Moth"

Beautiful! And since you survived being touched by it I am assuming that you came into some money as the Bahamans believe.



http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ascalapha_odorata
I went looking to a few other sites to find out why it is called Odorata but didn't find anything. Usually when flowers have that name it refers to them being scented. Does anyone know what it means in moths?
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Re: Another Moth

Posted by Pablo on January 24, 2015, 12:38 am, in reply to "Re: Another Moth"
96.50.109.80

Hi Siki. Maybe the moth actually smells nice! Which, of course, would not be normal, so it could just be a simple misnomer from the early collector who first described it in the literature. Because you're right, odorata is just the feminine form of the latin odoratus meaning fragrant.

Loved reading about the myth that in some parts of Mexico, people joke that if one of these flies over someone's head, the person will lose his hair.
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Re: Another Moth

Posted by Nancy B on January 24, 2015, 9:21 am, in reply to "Re: Another Moth"
189.164.206.133

May be the name refers to moths habits. Since they are night pollinators they are attracted to the smell, not the color like butterflies. Many flowers only bloom and or put out more fragrance at night, like jasmine, moon flowers. datura, or this interesting flower/vine called handkerchief which smells like rotting meat, awww, something for everyone


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