I really enjoyed the movie "The Mothman Prophecies". At the end, a
blurb is flashed saying that the movie is based on real sightings of a
"Mothman", that have been occurring for centuries all over the world.
Is this true? If so, what are some of the stories which have been
reported?

The movie "The Mothman Prophecies" is based upon a book of the same
name by John A. Keel, a participant in the alleged events detailed in
the plot of the film.

Having neither read the book nor seen the movie, I am either
spectacularly unqualified to answer your question or I am an impartial
observer who can provide balanced research. You may take your pick of
those options; I know I have.

You'll find a wealth of information, including a map of "world
sightings," on the movie's official site:

Sony Pictures: The Mothman Lives
http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/mothman/

Here are two online retellings of the Mothman tale:

X-Project Paranormal Magazine: Mothman
http://www.xproject.net/archives/cryptozoology/mothman.html

Ember Fae Homepage: Mothman
http://emberfae.freeyellow.com/mothman.html

And a list of many links related to aspects of Mothmania:

http://paranormal.about.com/cs/mothman/

Some Mothic reading matter:

Amazon.com: "The Mothman Prophecies," John A. Keel
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0765341972/ref=pd_sxp_elt_l1/103-6563336-1197417

Amazon.com:  Mothman, The Facts Behind the Legend, by Jeff Wamsley,
Donnie Sergent Jr.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0966724674/ref=pd_sxp_elt_l1/103-6563336-1197417

Amazon.com: Mothman and Other Curious Encounters, by Loren Coleman 
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1931044341/blather/103-6563336-1197417

My own view of most of these factoid fables of the paranormal (such as
"The Amityville Horror," "Whitley Streiber's Communion," "The
Teachings of Don Juan," "The Celestine Prophecy") is that they need
not be believed in order to be enjoyed. These are today's folk tales
of gods and demons, and regardless of their basis in history, they
have an important place in the archetypal imagination of modern man.

My Google search strategy:

"mothman" + "true story"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=mothman+%22true+story

Thanks for the question, Ace. As soon as I have an opportunity to see
"The Mothman Prophecies" on cable, I shall do so. Perhaps this moth
reference will make me stop thinking of gerbils every time I see a
certain actor. ;-)

Best regards (and remember to lock up your wool sweaters)
~pinkfreud

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Clarification of Answer by pinkfreud-ga on 02 Nov 2002 16:28 PST

Many thanks for the five-star rating and the stupendous tip! 

There is one thing I forgot to mention in my answer. In researching
the question, I discovered that although there had been feature
stories about the Mothman legend in many U.S. publications, one
counter-culture magazine that might have been expected to have such a
story was notably silent.

The explanation, I speculate, is that a "Rolling Stone" gathers no
Moth.

~Pink

VERY speedy and very complete! This is something I had been wondering
about ever since I saw the movie, but never had time to look up
myself. I am looking forward to exploring all the references in
greater detail. Thanks for your great service!!!