Black moths are a fascinating group of insects that come in a huge variety of shapes, sizes, and patterns While the name might make you think they are completely dark, many black moths actually have intricate designs in gray, white, orange, or other colors. Their dark coloration helps them blend into the night and avoid predators
In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at these mysterious insects. What makes a moth “black”? Where are they found? What do they eat? Read on to learn all about the lives of black moths!
What Makes a Moth “Black”?
When we say “black moth,” we generally mean any moth that has dark coloration as its predominant feature. This includes moths that are solid black, dark brown, dark gray, or charcoal. Many also have lighter patterns like stripes, spots, or speckles over the dark background color.
Sometimes black moths are iridescent, showing hints of metallic blues, greens, and purples. The dark coloration helps them be less visible to predators at night when they are most active. It also allows them to blend in against dark bark, soil, and other surfaces when they rest during the day.
Diversity of Shapes and Sizes
Black moths come in a huge range of sizes, from tiny micro-moths to giant silk moths with 10-inch wingspans. Some have stocky, furry bodies while others are long and thin.
Their wings may be blunt, pointed, scalloped, or trailing. Antennae also vary from thin and spiky to thick and feathery. So while they share a predominant color, black moths are amazingly diverse in shapes and features.
Widespread Distribution
Moths with dark wings and bodies can be found on every continent except Antarctica. Most thrive in tropical and temperate regions. However, even very northern areas like Alaska and Canada have species of black moths during their summer months.
In North America, some of the most common black moths include the eight-spotted forester, Virginia ctenucha, yellow-collared scape moth, and grapeleaf skeletonizer. The giant black witch moth migrates north into the United States each summer.
Nocturnal Lifestyles
Like most moths, black species are primarily nocturnal. Their dark and neutral color patterns provide camouflage against the night sky, bark, soil, and leaf litter. Being active at night likely helps them avoid predation from birds that rely on sight to hunt.
During the day, black moths find places to rest out of sight. Many species fold their wings over their bodies or align themselves vertically against tree trunks. Their coloring helps them blend in seamlessly.
Important Pollinators
While feeding, black moths inadvertently pick up and carry pollen from flower to flower. This makes them valuable pollinators alongside bees, butterflies, and other insects.
Certain species have very long tongues that let them access nectar from tube-shaped flowers that other pollinators can’t feed from. Their pollination services are vital for orchids, petunias, and many wildflowers.
Varied Diets
Like all moths, black species go through a complete metamorphosis with distinct larval caterpillar and adult phases. The caterpillars mostly eat leaves of trees and shrubs. When they transform into winged adults their diets change.
Black moth adults generally sip nectar from flowers. They also feed on ripe fruits, sap flows, and other sugary liquids. Certain tropical species even use their long, straw-like tongues to pierce into fruit to suck out the juices inside!
Intriguing Life Cycles
The life cycles of black moths vary between species, but often include some fascinating adaptations. For example, most overwinter as pupae that can survive even below-freezing temperatures. Others overwinter as eggs or caterpillars.
Some black moths like the grapevine skeletonizer have two broods per year. The spring brood feeds on newly sprouted grape leaves while the fall brood consumes mature foliage. Other species take 2-3 years to complete their life cycle.
Cultural Significance
Black moths appear in mythology and folklore around the world. In Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America, they are viewed as omens of death and misfortune.
However, in some cultures like Hawaii they instead represent deceased loved ones returning to say goodbye. The striking appearance of these moths has clearly made an impression across many human societies.
Threats and Conservation
While many black moth species are still abundant, certain ones face threats from habitat loss and pesticide use. Deforestation and urbanization remove essential forest habitats. Broad-spectrum insecticides may kill moths and caterpillars indiscriminately.
Protecting parks, reserves, and natural vegetation areas can help provide refuges. Reducing use of wide-reaching insecticides in favor of more targeted applications may also benefit moth populations. Lawn-care without chemicals is another small step backyard gardeners can take.
Enjoying Black Moths
Black moths have a mysterious beauty all their own. Take time to appreciate them on summer and fall nights when they are most active. Watch for them resting under leaves or on tree trunks during the day. Plant native flowers and let wild areas grow to support their caterpillars.
Slow down and notice these intriguing insects in your neighborhood. Their diversity, adaptations, and cultural lore make black moths a fascinating part of nature.
How to identify moths
With around 2,500 species of moth in the UK, theres an amazing amount of diversity to be discovered! Moths dont just come out at night. Some species fly during the day, especially on warm and sunny days. There are actually very few differences between moths and butterflies and they all belong to one group – Lepidoptera.
Description: The black forewings have striking creamy-white stripes and the hindwings are bright red, yellow or orange. Flies on warm days. When & where: July-September. A range of habitats including rough ground, coastal cliffs and gardens. On the south coast of England, but rapidly spreading north, with a strong London population. Read more
Description: Each black forewing has a red line and two red dots, and the hindwings are bright red. Flies in sunshine and is attracted to light at night. When & where: May-August. A variety of habitats, including sand dunes, heathlands and gardens. Caterpillars feed on ragwort.
Cinnabar moth (c) Vaughn Matthews
Description: Black with slender wings. Each forewing has six red spots (the two closest to the head often look like one red smudge). Flies in the day, visiting flowers like a butterfly. When & where: June-August. Flowery grassland throughout the UK. Caterpillars feed on birds-foot trefoil.
Description: Has iridescent black forewings with white and yellow spots, and red hindwings with black markings. Flies during the day. When & where: June-July. Favours damp habitats like riverbanks and fens, but sometimes visits gardens. Most common in the south-west of England and Wales.
Scarlet tiger ©Malcolm Storey
Scarlet tiger ©Vaughn Matthews
Description: Brown with a metallic silver y-shaped mark on each forewing. One of the most commonly seen day-flying moths, easily disturbed from vegetation and often seen flying frantically as it feeds on flowers. When & where: Mostly May-September, but can be seen in other months. An immigrant that is sometimes found in large numbers on the coast, but can be seen almost anywhere, including gardens.
Silver Y by Corinne Welch
Silver Y ©Bruce Shortland
Silver Y ©Margaret Holland
Description: An elegant pale yellow moth, easily identified by the pointed tail on each hindwing. Flies from dusk and is attracted to light. When & where: June-August. Sometimes second generation September-October. Widespread in most of UK. Found in a variety of habitats including parks and gardens.
Swallow-tailed moth ©Vaughn Matthews
Swallow tailed moth by Dave Appleton
Description: A bright yellow moth with a chestnut line along the leading edge of each forewing, a mark at the tip, and a brown-edged white dash. Sometimes disturbed from vegetation in the day, flies just before dusk and comes to light at night. When & where: April-October. Common across most of the UK. In woodland, scrub, hedgerows and gardens. Read more
Brimstone moth ©Amy Lewis
Description: A broad-winged, green moth with dark blotches and wavy, white lines across the wings. Flies at dusk and is easily disturbed from vegetation during the day. When & where: May-September. Common across the UK, in most habitats including parks and gardens.
Green carpet ©Amy Lewis
Green carpet moth by Iain H Leach
Description: A large green moth with wavy white lines across the wings. The wings have wavy edges. When resting, the wings are spread and raised slightly like a butterfly. Flies at night and is attracted to lights. When & where: June-August. Common across the UK, in many habitats including woodland, scrubby grassland, parks and gardens.
Large emerald © Vaughn Matthews
Large emerald © Brian Eversham
Description: A brownish moth with wavy crosslines on the forewings and orange-yellow on the hindwings. Flies on warm days, often with other species of moth and dingy skipper butterflies. When & where: May-July. Common and widespread in southern England. Found on flowery grasslands, including meadows, verges and woodland.
Burnet companion ©Tom Hibbert
Burnet companion by Chris Lawrence
Description: A distinctive moth that rests with its wings creased. Olive green with pink-brown arrow-shaped markings. Often seen resting on vegetation, walls and fences in the day. When & where: Mainly May-October. Throughout the UK, in most habitats including parks and gardens. Read more
Angle shades ©Tom Hibbert
Description: A large moth with a wingspan up to 12cm, blackish thorax and pink and black banded abdomen. Forewings are brown and hindwings are pink and black. Feeds on flowers at night and comes to light. When & where: June-July. Common in southern England and south-west Wales, more scattered further north. A variety of habitats including gardens and hedgerows.
Description: A large, variable moth. The long, rounded forewing has a distinctive black mark on the leading edge, near the tip. The hindwings are bright yellow with a black band. Often comes to light. When & where: June-October. Found almost anywhere, but most commonly in open grassy areas.
Large yellow underwing © Emma Lusby
Description: The forewings and chunky body are grey-brown, with orange hindwings. Flits from flower to flower, hovering to feed like a hummingbird. When & where: Mostly April-September, but can be seen in other months. An immigrant from southern Europe and north Africa. Most common on south coast but can turn up almost anywhere.
Hummingbird hawkmoth by Bruce Shortland
Elephant hawkmoth by Corinne Welch
Description: Brown with white crosslines, orange blotches and scalloped wings. Adults hibernate over winter and are sometimes found in outbuildings or caves. When & where: August-November and March-June after hibernation. Throughout the UK, in woodland, parks, gardens and other places the food plants are found such as willows and poplars.
Description: A small moth that has dark purple forewings with orange markings. The markings can be quite variable, but the most consistent one is a large orange blotch, sometimes with smaller orange spots speckled around it. The hindwings are dark with a short golden band that rarely reaches the edges of the wing. When & where: Adults fly in two generations – one from April to June, a second from July to September. Found throughout England, Wales, and southern Scotland and the Inner Hebrides.
Mint moth on wild marjoram © Leanne Manchester
Mint moth by Margaret Holland
Chimney sweeper © Rachel Scopes
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Black Witch Moth – Ascalapha Odorata
FAQ
What does a black moth in your house mean?
Some believe if a Black Witch Moth enters the home of someone who is ill, the person will die. A variation on the folk wisdom suggests that the moth must travel to each corner of the house for death to occur.
Are black moths harmful?
Fortunately, the black moths are harmless and only pose a nuisance, Porter noted.
Why am I finding black moths in my house?
Little black moths, often referred to as pantry moths or Indian meal moths, can be attracted to your house for several reasons: Food Sources: They are commonly attracted to stored food items, especially grains, cereals, flour, and dried fruits. If you have any open or improperly stored food, it can attract these pests.
What is the myth of the black moth?
The Black Witch moth is one of the largest moths found in North America. It is considered a harbinger of death in Mexican and Caribbean folklore. In Jamaica, under the name duppy bat, the moth is seen as the embodiment of a lost soul or a soul not at rest.
What is the meaning of a black moth?
The symbolism of the black moth can be both positive and negative. The black moth usually symbolizes sensuality, fragile nature, seduction, darkness and also death. Sometimes those creatures may be very mysterious and in many cultures they are even related to magic.
What are black moths a sign of?
The black moth is a sign that you have the willpower and strength to do anything you set your mind to, so take charge and make the changes necessary. If the black moth is appearing in your dreams it may be a sign that you need to trust your gut and make a move or a change to enhance your life.
What is the symbolic meaning of Black Moth?
The black moth is a highly symbolic insect. It is a transformative creature, which is a symbol of moving on, rejecting limiting beliefs and ideals, embracing your inner wisdom and divine feminine energy, and harnessing the power of your own intuition and psychic abilities. The transformative symbolism of finding your own inner peace and strength.