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A nocturnal Black Witch Moth (Ascalapha odorata) resting on the overhang of my lanai in Kihei, Maui. Note the really spooky "bulls eye" patterns on this moth's oversized compound eyes.
A nocturnal Black Witch Moth (Ascalapha odorata) resting on the overhang of my lanai in Kihei, Maui. Throughout the New World, this moth is associated with death and is considered a bad omen if it flies into one's house. However, Hawaiian mythology states that if a loved one has just died, the visiting moth is the person's soul returning to say goodbye.
A nocturnal Black Witch Moth (Ascalapha odorata) resting on the overhang of my lanai in Kihei, Maui. This large nocturnal moth is often found in dark corners during the daytime, sheltering from Maui's harsh sunlight and strong Trade Winds. However, I have seen a fair number flying low over treetops during the day, looking very much like a bat or small bird from a distance.
Normally a large moth, a nocturnal Black Witch Moth (Ascalapha odorata) resting on the overhang of my lanai in Kihei, Maui (my three middle fingers are included in this shot to give you some notion of the size of this moth's wingspan. Note the two large "comma"-shaped spots on the leading edges of the wings (definitive of this species). Throughout the New World, this moth is associated with death and is considered a bad omen if it flies into one's house. However, Hawaiian mythology states that if a loved one has just died, the visiting moth is the person's soul returning to say goodbye.
A nocturnal Black Witch Moth (Ascalapha odorata) resting on the overhang of my lanai in Kihei, Maui. Note the two large "comma"-shaped spots on the leading edges of the wings (definitive of this species). Throughout the New World, this moth is associated with death and is considered a bad omen if it flies into one's house. However, Hawaiian mythology states that if a loved one has just died, the visiting moth is the person's soul returning to say goodbye.
A nocturnal Black Witch Moth (Ascalapha odorata) resting on the overhang of my lanai in Kihei, Maui. Note the really spooky "bulls eye" patterns on this moth's oversized compound eyes.
A nocturnal Black Witch Moth (Ascalapha odorata) resting on the overhang of my lanai in Kihei, Maui. Note the really spooky "bulls eye" patterns on this moth's oversized compound eyes.
A nocturnal Black Witch Moth (Ascalapha odorata) resting on the overhang of my lanai in Kihei, Maui. Note the really spooky "bulls eye" patterns on this moth's oversized compound eyes.
See photo in original gallery.
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