MeMo's

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Amazing moth mimicry discovered in Malaysia

Loyal followers will know that one of my favorite topics in biology is mimicry - the evolution of structures that mimic other animals or plants to befuddle predators, attract pollinators, or catch prey. Here’s a puzzling case, snapped by Allan Lee in Malaysia. It’s a specimen of the species Macrocilix maia, with a distinct image of two files on its wings. A moth, whose wings normally mimic bird droppings to blend into the forest, has never been with such an amazing pattern, and it seems a bit counterintuitive. If the moth is supposed to be avoiding predators, then why would it mimic some fellow prey?