What Is It?
The White Witch Moth, also known as Thysania agrippina, holds the record for the largest wingspan of any moth in the world…they can grow up to 12 inches across! Native to Central and South America, with occasional appearances in the southern U.S., it’s part of the Erebidae family and cousin to another showy nocturnal giant…the Black Witch.
Its broad, pale gray to silvery-white wings are intricately laced with brown and black markings that resemble tree bark or rippling shadows, making it both a master of camouflage and an ethereal vision when spotted in flight.
Bring the White Witch’s Legend Home
With the largest wingspan of any moth in the world and an eerie, ghostlike presence, the White Witch Moth is one of the most extraordinary and elusive insects on Earth.
I create ethically sourced, museum-style framed moth specimens and nature art inspired by remarkable species like this one.
Browse all my moth art here:
Why It’s (kinda) Weird
- Their massive wingspan is often mistaken for a bat or even a bird when flying at dusk.
- Unbelievably elusive, with very few people ever seeing them alive. Most sightings are of specimens no longer alive on the ground.
- Ghostly behavior, in that they’re almost completely silent in flight and mostly active at night, adding to their reputation as omens or spirits in some cultures.
- Enigmatic life cycle-their larvae are rarely seen, and scientists still don’t know exactly which plants the caterpillars feed on!
Where to Spot Them
The White Witch ranges from Mexico to the Amazon Basin, and occasionally drifts north to Texas or Florida. If you’re lucky, you might find one clinging to a wall or resting beneath a porch light! They tend to perch with wings outstretched flat, blending perfectly into bark or stone surfaces.
Why They’re Cool
- They hold a world record for largest moth wingspan, even bigger than the Atlas Moth.
- They’re living art and camouflage experts with highly detailed and variable wing patterns.
- They’re part mystery, part myth. Folk legends surround them in many cultures, from harbingers of change to ghostly messengers.
- Their rarity makes any encounter feel genuinely magical.
Fascinated by the White Witch Moth?
Part world-record holder, part ghost story, and part living work of art, the White Witch Moth is one of nature’s most breathtaking and mysterious creations.
If you’d like to own a museum-style framed specimen inspired by this legendary species, you can explore my currently available moth pieces here:
Each piece is ethically sourced, carefully preserved, and framed to celebrate one of the most extraordinary moths in the world.