Black Witch Moth sighting

Thank you for writing. It appears to be a Black Witch Moth which is not unknown in MN this time of year. I would like to know the latitude and longitude of your cabin and the date of the sighting.
Given the electrical outlet, I can guess the size. How big was it?

https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Ascalapha-odorata

Steve Miles, Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (I am a human being, not a bot nor AI). I am an avid gardener but am not a degreed or certified horticulturist or arborist. I am happy to receive follow-up questions if my responses are incomplete or unclear. This is the University of MN' garden soil testing service. https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/testing-services/lawn-garden This is guidance on how to find a tree expert. https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a wonderful place to see and learn about plants that grow in Minnesota. https://mngardens.horticulture.umn.edu/minnesota-landscape-arboretum Replied August 06, 2025, 6:47 PM EDT

Wonderful! I will attach the location below with latitude and longitude at the bottom of the screen shot. . We saw it on Thursday, July 24, 2025. It was about six inches across. We saw it fly in and land from inside the screen porch and thought it was a bat because of its size. That’s why we took a closer look, as seeing a bat at 7:00pm seemed unusual for us.

Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 6, 2025, at 5:47 PM, Ask Extension wrote:

The Question Asker Replied August 06, 2025, 7:50 PM EDT

Excellent.
You have correctly identified it.

Steve Miles, Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (I am a human being, not a bot nor AI). I am an avid gardener but am not a degreed or certified horticulturist or arborist. I am happy to receive follow-up questions if my responses are incomplete or unclear. This is the University of MN' garden soil testing service. https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/testing-services/lawn-garden This is guidance on how to find a tree expert. https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a wonderful place to see and learn about plants that grow in Minnesota. https://mngardens.horticulture.umn.edu/minnesota-landscape-arboretum Replied August 06, 2025, 9:21 PM EDT

Enjoy: https://insectlab.russell.wisc.edu/2020/09/30/black-witch-rare-midwest/#:~:text=If%20you%20do%20ever%20spot,than%20the%20elusive%20black%20witch.

Steve Miles, Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (I am a human being, not a bot nor AI). I am an avid gardener but am not a degreed or certified horticulturist or arborist. I am happy to receive follow-up questions if my responses are incomplete or unclear. This is the University of MN' garden soil testing service. https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/testing-services/lawn-garden This is guidance on how to find a tree expert. https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a wonderful place to see and learn about plants that grow in Minnesota. https://mngardens.horticulture.umn.edu/minnesota-landscape-arboretum Replied August 07, 2025, 2:21 PM EDT

Black Witch Moth sighting #912986

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