Black Witch Profile

This is a close-up of a large (6" across the wings) moth known as the Black Witch Moth (Ascalapha ordata). Folklore has it that if this moth enters the house of a sick person, death will soon follow for that hapless individual. It is also said that if it flies over your head, you will lose your hair. Fortunately, no one was sick in our house, and it is way too late for my hair.

I captured the moth and placed it on our fern to shoot it indoors in natural light.

Canon 1D MkIII, Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro lens, ISO 100, f/10, 2.5 sec. No flash. Tripod mounted with macro focusing rails. Full size image.