109: Black Witch Moth

Sorciére Noire

Tlaloc, ancient Mexican god of rain and lightning, had many different avatars, including what is likely the Black Witch Moth. According to Karen Bassie-Sweet, “Omens were an important aspect of Mesoamerican world view. Throughout the region, the appearance of a Black Witch Moth was viewed as an omen of death (Bassie-Sweet et al. 2015:139). In fact, the Aztec called the Black Witch Moth micpapalotl or miquipapalotl, "death moth", while the Ch'ol name is pejpem xib’aj, "moth demon". When a Maya warrior took on the guise of this Lepidoptera, he was sending a powerful message to his foe. He was literally dressed to kill.” Today, the mystique of this bat lives on: its common names include Mariposa de la Muerte (Butterfly of Death) in Mexico, Duppy Bat (Lost Soul) in Jamaica, or Sorciére Noire (or Dark Sorcerer) in French-speaking Caribbean islands.

As the names above suggest, these moths are found widely in North and South America, centered

around the Caribbean. The Black Witch Moth is the largest moth in North America – so large that

it is often mistaken for a bat. The females, which are the bigger of the sexes, can have wingspans of over

six inches!*

What about their distribution in Colorado? According to Colorado State, their distribution is potentially statewide – there is even a report of one in Leadville, at 10,000 feet above sea level, following a July 4 snowstorm – and the moths arrive on favorable winds. They are strong fliers who have been known to reach Alaska and Hawaii. They do not breed in Colorado and are only present in the summer. Those seen in Colorado were probably born in northern Mexico.

Their wings have incredible patterns – see some great up close photos of them here. Rather than attempt to draw those, I wanted to depict the mythological moth in the Teotihuacan style:

*There is also a moth called a White Witch, one of the largest insects in the world, that lives in South America.