Malaysians are currently dealing with a pesky infestation of giant, bug-eyed moths, the BBC reported.
Swarms of Lyssa Zampa tropical moths, said to be one of the largest in South East Asia, have been reported in Malaysia's urban areas, gathering around buildings and even disrupting a national soccer game. Neighboring Singapore has also been affected by the swarms, with nearly a thousand sightings reported in the country.
Experts say the furry moths are attracted to urban areas because they use the city lights for navigation.
"Their tendency to emigrate in search of new uneaten host plants attracts these moths to light in urban city areas," Anuj Jain, an ecologist, told the BBC.
The moths, with a wing span of 6 inches, usually show up between April and August every year and are said to be harmless to humans.
"The public has nothing to be afraid of," Lena Chan, Director of the National Biodiversity Centre at the National Parks Board in Singapore, told the BBC. "There is no need for people to protect themselves against these moths as they do not cause any allergies or diseases. In fact, they are important pollinators and are beautiful to watch."
But the flying creatures may not have been welcome when they interrupted last week's semi-finals soccer game at the Darul Makmur Stadium, the BBC reported. Also in China, "moths are viewed as symbols of death as they represent the souls of deceased loved ones," Cindy Wu, a Chinese astrologer, told the BBC.
"It is therefore considered a serious taboo to kill moths or disturb them," Wu said.
While this year's swarms seem to be "unprecedented," their presence is not unusual, N Sivasothi, a biology lecturer, told the BBC.
"The moths are actually present during other times of the year but in very small numbers, so they are not usually noticed by people," SIvasothi said.
