Malaysia: Large swarm of giant moths invades Kuantan

The Star 4 Jun 14;

KUANTAN: The capital of Pahang has seen an invasion of giant moths over the past week, raising questions among residents and visitors alike.

They are active at night and often converge in areas with bright lights.

The Darul Makmur Stadium was a target during the Pahang-Johor Darul Takzim FA Cup semi-final match last Friday.

Universiti Sains Malaysia School of Biological Sciences entomology professor Che Salmah Mat Rawi said the insect was also known by its scientific name lyssa zampa docile.

She said numerous theories could be tied to the emergence of these giant moths, such as a change in the weather.

“Normally, the insects are found in the highlands but they can also be found in large numbers in agriculture or development areas, especially from May to August each year.

“This giant moth is nocturnal and is attracted to bright lights. During the day, it will rest in a shaded and cool area, such as under the roof of a house or at the foot of large trees,” she said.

Che Salmah said that other than a change in the weather and the bright lights, the presence of the moths could also be due to ample food supply as well as a lack of natural enemies.

“Although studies indicate that the insect is not poisonous, the moth can cause itchiness.

“The hair on their wings can also disturb respiration and this can be most sensitive to asthma sufferers,” she said. — Bernama

Moths smother Kuantan
New Straits Times 4 Jun 14;

KUANTAN: Swarms of moths invaded the state capital over the past three weeks.

Lured by the bright lights, the insects were spotted flying in eateries, offices, homes and over electronic billboards.
The unwelcomed guests stole the limelight during the FA Cup semifinal match between Pahang and JDT on May 30, when they swarmed the Darul Makmur Stadium. Their presence has created an eyesore as thousands were often spotted lying dead in huge piles along corridors outside shoplots.

M. Leenakumari, 37, said the light from the television in her living room was enough to draw the moths into her home and she was forced to sweep the house twice daily to remove the dead ones.

“It is annoying, especially when the moths fly around in the bedroom or living room. Sometimes they crash into the ceiling fan blades and end up all over the floor.”

Hashim Mohd, 45, an engineer, said the moths had swarmed guests at his son’s birthday party last week and he was forced to cover the birthday cake, fearing the insects might land on it.

Universiti Sains Malaysia School of Biological Sciences entomology Professor Che Salmah Md Rawi said the moths, from the Lyssa zampa docile species, were commonly seen towards the end of the wet and the beginning of the dry season.

Attracted to lights, she said the abundance of the species in Kuantan could be because of availability of food, absence of natural predators, weather conditions and change in daily temperatures.

She said there had been no report of any toxic material produced by this species but direct contact with the moth could cause some skin irritation due to the presence of urticating scales on the underside of the insect’s abdomen.

'Lack of predators cause moths to thrive'
LOH FOON FONG AND RAHMAH GHAZALI The Star 5 Jun 14;

PETALING JAYA: A lack of predators such as caterpillar-feeding birds could have led to the sudden swarm of giant moths in Kuantan and other parts of the country, said an expert.

Calling it “unprecedented” and “abnormal”, Universiti Kebang-saan Malaysia entomologist Dr Norela Sulaiman said the “invasion” by giant tropical swallowtail moths (Lyssa zampa) could be a “one-off occurrence”.

“I believe there is a lack of predators such as birds which usually eat the catterpillars,” said Dr Norela.

Entomological Society of Malaysia president Prof Dr Idris Abdul Ghani said the “invasion” could also be due to the large availability of food plants.

“At the same time, it could be that their natural enemies, such as parasites and other pathogens, are not active enough to harm them and they thrive,” he said.

Asked on reports that the moths had congregated at the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC), he said there could be host plants in the nearby Bukit Nenas forest reserve.

“The bright lights in KLCC could have attracted them there.”

It's that time of the moth
DINA MURAD The Star 5 Jun 14;

PETALING JAYA: Giant moths are swarming – and bugging people – across Malaysia, with sightings reported in many areas besides Kuantan, where their presence is already causing a buzz.

Netizens posted on The Star Online’s Facebook page that they had observed moths in Perak, Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, Johor, Penang, Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Sabah.

Napsiah Wan Salleh said she saw giant moths in the Klang Valley.

“I saw four light brown moths with white straight line on the wings in my area the last few days.

“I saw one again this morning,” she said, attributing it to a boom in caterpillar population due to the rain coming soon after the dry weather earlier this year.

Addell Tan said he found two moths on his car in Malacca, while Johnny Lum and Pauline Goh reported seeing them in Ipoh and Pontian.

“They are kind of pretty but it is scary that they are so big.

“(I) always find them dead on the side of the buildings in the mornings,” said Ketiswary Nachiar from Kuantan.

“Strangely, I saw one this morning in Kota Kinabalu.

“I was surprised because TV reported (that) there were many in Kuantan,” wrote Sim Josie.

“I saw four at my condo last week and I live on the 23rd floor. (I) was just thinking why so many,” said Maggie Song.

Although some welcomed the sight of the fluttering insect, others were more cautious as these creatures were traditionally believed to bring ill omen.

“Old people say someone is visiting,” said Olivia Airine Sue, alluding to the myth that moths were physical manifestations of departed loved ones.

“Not a good omen,” said user Tom Said, while Vivien Wong wrote that it “must be a sign that bad things are going to happen soon”.

Other netizens provided advice for those who might come across the insects.