~LyAm n1agAr0th~

Moths of the genus Coenodomus have a very peculiar feature -- each male has a pair of horn-like appendages sprouting from his head. These "horns" are actually soft, pliable structures that are known as scape extensions, because they grow from the scape (i.e. the base) of each antenna.

The scape extensions are covered in long, fuzzy-looking scales, and they're often held in an upright position, with the two "horns" curling together to form a tiny horseshoe/halo over the moth's head.

They can also be folded back toward the body; in some cases, they're even tucked down to the point where they are barely visible.

It's unclear whether or not these "horns" have any adaptive purpose, but some sources argue that they might be used for courtship, camouflage/crypsis, or sexual selection.

There are at least 15 different species of Coenodomus moth, and they can be found in Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Indonesia, China, Bhutan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, India, and Australia.

Sources & More Info:

Annales Zooligici: A Review of the Genus Coenodomus in China with Descriptions of Four New Species

iNaturalist: Genus Coenodomus

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