October 2-Mothman

By Aaron Perez

Published 10-2-2025

Image Credit: Bloody Disgusting


 The Mothman is one of America's most enduring cryptids, a winged humanoid figure that has captured imaginations since the 1960s. First reported in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, in November 1966, witnesses described a large, man-like creature with massive wings, glowing red eyes, and an eerie, high-pitched screech. Two young couples fleeing a wooded area claimed it pursued their car at incredible speeds, marking the beginning of over a year of sightings. The legend peaked with the tragic collapse of the Silver Bridge in December 1967, killing 46 people—many believe the Mothman was an omen of disaster. Skeptics attribute it to misidentified birds like sandhill cranes or great blue herons, but believers see it as a harbinger of doom.

    While Point Pleasant hosts an annual Mothman Festival and even a statue in the creature's honor, sightings haven't been confined to West Virginia. Reports have trickled in from around the world, including Latin America, where it's sometimes called "El Hombre Polilla" (The Moth Man). In Mexico, whispers of similar entities echo ancient folklore of night-flying beings. Turning to the U.S.-Mexico border, Ciudad Juarez has its own Mothman tales. In 2020, multiple residents reported seeing a tall, winged figure with red eyes lurking near industrial areas and bridges, with some claiming encounters dating back two decades. These sightings often coincide with periods of unrest, fueling speculation that the Mothman appears as a warning—perhaps tied to the city's history of violence or natural disasters. Imagine driving along the Rio Grande at dusk, only to spot a shadowy form perched on a border fence, its eyes piercing the twilight.

    Across the river in El Paso, Texas, direct Mothman reports are scarcer, but the proximity invites speculation. Picture potential sightings: A trucker on I-10 glimpses wings unfolding against the Franklin Mountains during a dust storm, or border patrol agents hearing unnatural screeches amid the desert winds. Given El Paso's twin-city bond with Juarez, the creature might cross borders effortlessly, symbolizing shared omens for environmental shifts or social tensions in the region.

    Whether a psychological phenomenon, a misidentified animal, or something supernatural, the Mothman endures as a symbol of the unknown. If you're in the Borderland, keep an eye on the skies—who knows what might be watching?

Sources:

Keel, John A. The Mothman Prophecies. Tor Books, 2002, www.tor.com.
“Mothman Sightings in Point Pleasant.” West Virginia Tourism, West Virginia Department of Tourism, 2023, wvtourism.com/mothman-sightings-point-pleasant/.

“Mothman Festival.” Point Pleasant Mothman Festival, Mothman Festival Committee, 2025, www.mothmanfestival.com.

Phipps, John. “The Silver Bridge Collapse and the Mothman.” History Uncovered, All That’s Interesting, 15 Dec. 2017, allthatsinteresting.com/silver-bridge-collapse-mothman.

Rodriguez, Juan. “Misteriosas Apariciones de El Hombre Polilla en Ciudad Juárez.” El Diario de Juárez, 10 Sept. 2020, www.eldiariodejuarez.com.mx/local/misteriosas-apariciones-de-el-hombre-polilla-en-ciudad-juarez/.

Torres, Carlos. “El Hombre Polilla: ¿Un Fenómeno Global?” Misterios de América Latina, 5 Mar. 2024, www.misterioslatam.com/el-hombre-polilla-fenomeno-global/.



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