Bird Dropping Moth
Common NameBird Dropping Moth
Scientific NameMacrocilix maia
FamilyDrepanidae
SubfamilyDrepaninae
Wingspan (mm)40
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorswhite, brown, black, blue
HabitatForests, woodlands
Geographic RangeEast Asia (China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, parts of Southeast Asia)
Host PlantsQuercus (oak) species
Flight PeriodApril to October (multiple broods)
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesUndergoes complete metamorphosis; larvae feed on oak leaves before pupating and emerging as adult moths.
Identification TipsEasily identified by its remarkable bird-dropping mimicry on the forewings, which includes dark spots with a metallic blue sheen, giving the illusion of flies on a dropping.
Description
This moth has pale, translucent white wings with a highly distinctive pattern on the forewings that mimics bird droppings, featuring dark brown/black patches with iridescent blue-white highlights resembling flies.
