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sciencecenter: 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? Any ideas? The only thing I can think of is possibly the flies are known to carry bad bacteria that’d make the predators sick?

sciencecenter:

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?

Any ideas? The only thing I can think of is possibly the flies are known to carry bad bacteria that’d make the predators sick?

Reblogged 9 months ago from sciencecenter
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Tagged: science, news, moths, insects, bugs, mimicry, mimic, .
Source: lepdata.org
  1. reirvamos reblogged this from sciencecenter
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  9. massiveaugust answered: maybe it is mimicking a poisonous worm or caterpillar ?
  10. maybethings reblogged this from sciencecenter and added:
    Well, this was kind
  11. sekakoke reblogged this from sciencecenter
  12. watchmakr reblogged this from sciencecenter and added:
    !@#$%&* incredible. Insects (I almost wrote incest but…) blow
  13. amycake5 answered: MARTYR MOTH! omg he’s my new favorite superhero
  14. halcyonthom answered: very counter intuitive, just a special specimen perhaps.
  15. jungianyoungin reblogged this from sciencecenter
  16. amidesu reblogged this from sciencecenter
  17. museudepablopicasso answered: the fly-pattern is unbelievable. thank you!
  18. zazorocks answered: It either hates it’s life or it’s a type of sign
  19. continueplease answered: “I’m not a very tasty prey!”
  20. clockwork-toi reblogged this from sciencecenter
  21. micaelamaynot reblogged this from sciencecenter
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  23. kurookami reblogged this from sciencecenter and added:
    Any ideas? The only thing I can think...carry bad bacteria that’d make
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