White Witch Moth l Enormous Wingspan

White Witch Moth, Thysania agrippina — Source: https://bit.ly/2UQufNx Photographer: Bernard DUPONT CC License: https://bit.ly/2JMectJ

White Witch Moth Facts

Perhaps most notably, the term White Witch Moth serves as the common name for one of the largest Lepidoptera in the world. However, the sincerely marvelous insect also goes by the somewhat less pronounceable scientific name of the Thysania agrippina. But regardless of which name one uses to refer to it, the invertebrate remains a truly incredible variety of moth.
The respected Dutch entomologist Pieter Cramer became the first person to officially describe this marvelous invertebrate. This fortuitous action occurred in the year 1776. Furthermore, over the years, it has also acquired several alternate common names. These include such names as the ghost moth, the great grey witch, the great owlet moth, and simply the white witch.
For the moment, the IUCN does not have a listing for the White Witch Moth on its Red List. This occurs partly because of its relatively wide distribution. Nevertheless, many people consider it to be at great risk. That’s partly due to a significant reduction of its natural habitat throughout its range. However, it must also be considered to be at risk due to the effects of climate change.

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White Witch Moth Physical Description

The first thing many individuals notice about the extraordinary White Witch Moth is its incredible beauty. However, the lovely Lepidoptera also equally deserves attention for its extremely large size. Furthermore, the fabulous arthropod also displays a very slight degree of the physiological trait of sexual dimorphism. In its case, though, this characteristic displays itself in terms of a very small difference in physical appearance.

Its wings can reach a span of as much as 12 in (30 cm).Overall, the upper side of the wings of both genders displays a creamy white or light brown in color. In addition, several black and brown lines zigzag across the wings. Underneath, however, appears differently. This mainly shows a violet-black, along with white spots and markings. But, the males of the White Witch Moth tend to have more patterns, as well as a white spot on the forewings.

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Erebidae
Genus: Thysania
Species: T. agrippina

White Witch Moth Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

The magnificent White Witch Moth inhabits relatively broad portion of the world, compared to most Lepidoptera. That holds true due to the fact that the arthropod occurs in a range that begins in southern Mexico, in North America. Following that, its native territory extends through Central America, all the way to the northern sections of the continent of South America.

Quite unfortunately, entomologists do not know a great deal about some facets of the life of this insect. However, some facts about its habitat have been noticed. For one, the marvelous creature appears to be quite adaptable to different habitats. That’s because it has been seen in regions of rainforest, temperate forests, open grasslands, rural areas, and even within the confines of a city.

One key factor about the ecology of the gorgeous and somewhat mysterious White Witch Moth does present itself, however. That’s the fact that the caterpillar form predominantly feeds on the India-rubber tree. This occurs because that’s where the female lays her eggs. This has the effect of limiting the areas in which eggs are laid. The leaves of these plants the caterpillars consume voraciously.