Kauaʻi record · KCA-IA-00638
Black Witch
Ascalapha odorata
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About Black Witch
Black Witch (Ascalapha odorata) is a member of Erebidae in the order Lepidoptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced / adventive.
Black Witch (Ascalapha odorata) is documented from Kauaʻi. Erebid moths have complete metamorphosis and highly varied larval diets. Many adults are nocturnal and are recorded at lights. On Kauaʻi, observations are most useful when they record adult at light/fruit/flower, larval host if found, and life stage. Where island-specific host, prey, breeding-site, abundance, or seasonal information is not yet firmly documented, those details should remain tied to direct specimens and field observations rather than inferred from populations elsewhere.
Black Witch (Ascalapha odorata) is a very large adventive moth recorded repeatedly on Kauaʻi. Adults are strongly sexually dimorphic, and the large caterpillar is a separate identification form.
Kauaʻi occurrence evidence: BAMONA has multiple verified Kauaʻi records including 2024–2025; U.S. Forest Service risk assessment lists the species from Kauaʻi among Hawaiian island records.
The cited occurrence evidence does not by itself establish current abundance or population trend on Kauaʻi.
Life cycle
Egg; caterpillar; pupa; adult.
Habitat
Vegetation associated with larval hosts; adults may be found at flowers, fruit, sap, or lights.
Food and ecological role
Larval host plants vary; adults may take nectar, fruit juices, or other liquids depending on species.
Reproduction
Females lay eggs on or near larval host plants.
Movement
Winged adults can disperse widely.
Ecosystem role
Larval herbivore; adult pollinator/fruit feeder or other role depending on species.
Threats and impacts
Species-specific; introduced moths may affect crops or native plants.
Monitoring
Record adult at light/fruit/flower, larval host if found, and life stage.
Names and classification
- Scientific name
- Ascalapha odorata
- Common names
- Black Witch
- Family
- Erebidae
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Record type
- species
Kauaʻi occurrence and status
- Kauaʻi occurrence
- Present
- Origin
- Introduced / adventive
- Conservation status
- Not assessed
Process and seasonal context
- Seasonal description
- Black Witch (Ascalapha odorata) is a member of Erebidae in the order Lepidoptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced / adventive.