It's that time of the moth

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.

All abuzz: A worker clears the bodies of moths found at the Sultan Ahmad Shah 1 mosque in Kuantan.

lthough 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.

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