Guide for Observers and Collectors
If you were to observe a white witch, there are several ways to help us with the quest to learn the life history of this species. If a dozen, or better 100 potential observers consider these steps, we will make enormous progress.
Easy things, for observers
If you were to observe a white witch, there are several ways to help us with the quest to learn the life history of this species. If a dozen, or better 100 potential observers consider these steps, we will make enormous progress.
Easy things, for observers
- Record the basics: date, time, location of observation. Field notes would help -e.g., observed behaviors. Size would be helpful--you could actually measure wingspan in the resting pose, or place a reference (ruler, notebook page) into a photo.
- Get the best photo possible. If we have high quality images taken from directly above a resting moth, we can make comparisons of specimens across time and geography.
- Determine sex: For such a large moth, this is straightforward. Hold so that you can gently separate the fore and hindwings from the under side. Male moths have a single strong bristle, females have multiple smaller bristles (info here). The largest White Witches are the enormous males that are decidedly “whiter.” Females have a proportionately larger abdomen.
- Share the data. The best repository for observation data is Inaturalist. This citizen science site can record all of the above information, and make it accessible to anyone with an interest in the white witch.
- Additional observations. If you have observed one moth, you are in a time and place where more moths are likely to be present. You would increase you chances of finding another (and many other interesting insects) by running baits: Baiting information excerpt from Owlet Caterpillars of Eastern North America.
Further steps, for collectors, if you have a female moth
Find a detailed guide for rearing and maintenance of all life stages of moths here: Rearing and Breeding Techniques ... (Lepidopterist's Society of Africa).
* Note about the ethics: We think that collecting with the intent of learning more, with the necessary risk of harming a single moth, are in the best interests of conservation. If we learn the life cycle, if we know the host plants and habitat, we will be in a much stronger position to protect the overall population.
Find a detailed guide for rearing and maintenance of all life stages of moths here: Rearing and Breeding Techniques ... (Lepidopterist's Society of Africa).
- Communicate with us! "Us" includes David Wagner, a lepidopterist that has been rearing caterpillars on a large scale over a long research career. It will be helpful to trade information in real time.
- Maintaining the moth. Adult White Witches will likely live for weeks (and perhaps several months). You could keep one in any kind of cage (see above guide for ideas), but you may be able to obtain eggs simply by holding the moth for a short period of time in a large paper bag. It may be necessary to hold and feed females for several days before they will lay eggs. They do well on a mixture of 1 part honey (or pure sugar) to 4-5 parts water. Initially, it may be necessary to unroll the moth’s tongue and place it in direct contact with the cotton ball saturated with the sugary mixture.
- Eggs. If a captive moth lays eggs, transfer to a clean jar or vial with no plant matter or held in a container with a mesh cover that “breathes” yet excludes ants, parasites, mice, and other potential enemies. The egg container should be left in a shady place were humidity will remain high. It can even be exposed to rain but the eggs must be able to dry quickly after rainfall.
- Feeding Caterpillars: This the difficult step. The suspected hostplants are Senna and Cassia, genera in the legume (Fabaceae) family. How would you find foliage from these possible hosts? One approach would be to take advantage of the citizen science site Inaturalist:
Search for "Cassia," and "Senna." You would find about 500 and 5000 observations respectively for these genera. If you then view the associated photos and species pages, you would know something which species are in your area, and what they look like.
Correspond with top identifiers of the Cassia/Senna species. As of 14 Dec 2018, the top 10 identifiers each have a record of >100 IDs each.
In addition to Cassia/Senna species, you could try Acacia, Pithecellobium, and other woody legume species.
* Note about the ethics: We think that collecting with the intent of learning more, with the necessary risk of harming a single moth, are in the best interests of conservation. If we learn the life cycle, if we know the host plants and habitat, we will be in a much stronger position to protect the overall population.