Chien C. Lee

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In a strikingly specific instance of mimicry, the patterns on the wings of this moth (Macrocilix maia) appear to resemble two flies feeding at a glistening bird dropping. This, coupled with a pungent odor that the moth emits, may be enough to dissuade a predator from considering a meal. Although flies are certainly edible, they nevertheless sometimes serve as models for mimicry because they are so quick and agile that most birds won't bother pursuing them. Kinabalu National Park, Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).

Copyright
© Chien C. Lee
Image Size
5107x3405 / 9.4MB
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Keywords
Borneo, Drepanidae, Drepanoidea, East Malaysia, Insecta, Lepidoptera, Malaysia, Sabah, Southeast Asia, animal, arthropod, dung, fauna, insect, invertebrate, mimic, mimicry, moth, scat, tropical
Contained in galleries
Mimicry, Borneo, Insects
In a strikingly specific instance of mimicry, the patterns on the wings of this moth (Macrocilix maia) appear to resemble two flies feeding at a glistening bird dropping. This, coupled with a pungent odor that the moth emits, may be enough to dissuade a predator from considering a meal. Although flies are certainly edible, they nevertheless sometimes serve as models for mimicry because they are so quick and agile that most birds won't bother pursuing them. Kinabalu National Park, Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).