Black Witch Moth vs Horse Chestnut Leaf-miner
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Black Witch Moth | Horse Chestnut Leaf-miner |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ascalapha odorata | Cameraria ohridella |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Erebidae | Gracillariidae |
| Size | 120-170 mm wingspan | 7-8 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Underground |
| Diet | Fruit Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | South America (Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, Argentina) | Originally Balkans, now across Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Black Witch Moth
One of the largest moths in the Western Hemisphere, with dark brown to black wings marked with subtle iridescent purple and pink highlights. A comma-shaped translucent spot marks each forewing. It is a strong migrant, capable of long-distance flights.
Did You Know?
In many South American cultures, it is considered an omen of death when it enters a home, earning it the Spanish name mariposa de la muerte.
Horse Chestnut Leaf-miner
A tiny moth that has devastated horse chestnut trees across Europe since its discovery in 1985. Larvae mine inside leaves causing brown blotches. Spread with extraordinary speed across the continent.
Did You Know?
Spread across the entire European continent in just 20 years, one of the fastest insect invasions ever recorded.