Black Witch Ascalapha odorata

This is the largest noctuoid moth in the entire continental United States, and it looks the part—massive and bat-shaped with dark, almost black wings. In the folklore of Central and South America, it's deeply feared: spotting one is supposedly a harbinger of death or serious misfortune.

Despite the dark superstitions, these moths are actually migratory travelers that regularly appear across North America, making them far more common than their ominous reputation suggests. The moths flying into your porch light aren't omens—they're just travelers passing through on their incredible journeys.