One of the most stunning moths found in Sabah is the macrocilix maia. This species of moth can be found in India, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, China, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo. It comes from the Drepanidae family first described by John Henry Leech in 1888.
The moth features two symmetrical patterns resembling two flies feeding on bird droppings. Why the fecal pattern? It may help to deter predators from coming near. There are even reports of the moth emitting an unpleasant smell to accompany its camouflage.
Photo by frankcanon_image_in