24-12-2015 KOH KOON, THAILAND - BURNET MOTH (Cyclosia midamia)

Cyclosia midamia is a moth in the family Zygaenidae. It is found in Malaysia and on Borneo. Five subspecies recognized.

It disguises itself to resemble the spotted blue crow. It secretes liquid hydrogen cyanide through their legs as little droplets. Though unlike the butterfly, and so many other insects, Cyclosia midamia produces its own poison made out of the chemical compound cyanide.

Cyclosia midamia (Herrich-Schäer, [1853]) is a day-ying moth that belongs to the order Lepidoptera of the family Zygaenidae (subfamily Chalcosiinae).  It looks fascinating and mimics the Spotted Blue Crow.

Mimicry and aposematic (denoting colouration to repel predators) in this species is due to the high concentrations of two chemicals lotaustralin and cyanoglucosides linamarin. They release hydrocyanic acid by decomposition of these two chemicals which is poisonous to birds and predators.