Ascalaphus is the son of the stygian river god, Acheron, and the nymph, Orphne, and who was the custodian of Hades' orchard in the Underworld.

He told the other gods that Persephone had eaten pomegranate seeds in the Underworld.

Demeter was so angry, she buried Ascalaphus beneath a heavy rock in the Underworld.

According to another myth, Persephone herself changed him into an eagle owl by sprinkling him with water of the river Phlegethon.

[3] Ovid mentions: "So he became the vilest bird; a messenger of grief; the lazy owl; sad omen to mankind.