Mictlanpapalotl: The “Butterfly of Death” that Gives Life to Your Plants
A Childhood Encounter with a Misunderstood Species
I remember being a child and seeing black moths resting on the wall of our house. Those wings, stretching more than 15 centimeters across, would settle above the cupboard as if time had no urgency at all. Yet the humans in the house—the family who had noticed them—would immediately appoint an adult to get rid of the insect at any cost and make sure it never appeared indoors again.
Why Black Moths Enter Homes
These black moths, which were relatively common inside homes about twenty-five years ago, prefer dark places to rest. If they could not find a leaf or a safe space outdoors, they simply slipped inside houses, assuming they had found a calm shelter to recover energy before continuing their journey. They did not know that hundreds of years ago, some ancestor—Aztec, Toltec, Maya, Olmec, I cannot say—declared that their presence was a sign of misfortune. From then on, people believed they must be killed to ward off negativity.
Today, it is rare to see one of these creatures inside a home. Parents, influenced by the belief that these moths are harbingers of bad luck, would chase them with a broom the moment they appeared. Screams of fear were unavoidable when the moths fluttered over our heads. Many did not survive these encounters; most were killed simply because people believed their presence foretold the death of a loved one or some other misfortune.
Cultural Symbolism and Scientific Identity
The scientific name of this moth is Ascalapha odorata, though it is also known as mictlanpapalotl, meaning “butterfly of death” in Nahuatl. In English, they are called black witch moths, and the internet offers many additional names. This ominous label, born centuries ago, has contributed to their population decline. One can only wonder what might happen if we gave this moth the same importance we give to the monarch butterfly or the blue morpho, regardless of whether humans find it attractive or not. It would be an exercise in insect antiracism.
Ecological Importance of a Misjudged Pollinator
How many moths must have died in the name of bad luck? This insect feeds on plant nectar at night. Its dark wings help it remain hidden in the shadows. While remaining unseen, it helps pollinate your garden plants—plants that support your morning coffee, your afternoon squash dishes, and the wider ecosystems we depend on.
Their decline is tied not only to myths and superstitions, but also to habitat loss, insecticide use, and light pollution—pressures that affect insect populations around the world.
How to Protect Black Witch Moths
If you want to keep these moths visiting your organic gardens and ecological agricultural systems, small actions matter.
- First, if you see one, let it rest; it will be gone in a few hours.
- Second, be mindful of your outdoor lighting: prefer warm-colored lights and turn them off when not needed to avoid disorienting nighttime insects.
- Third, avoid insecticides marketed as “eco-friendly.” Instead, learn ecological pest management strategies.
- Fourth, help spread awareness about the importance of nocturnal pollinators.
- Fifth, reach out to Micratena AC to learn how to contribute to insect conservation.
Stay tuned
More insect stories coming soon — from native species to their surprising roles in nature. Stay curious. Stay connected.
