Casanova Moth has a Mustache That's Irresistible to the Ladies

Mustaches always get the ladies. Just ask the newly found Australian pygmy moth. It didn't just get named by researchers the "Casanova" moth for nothing:

Researchers say they named the newly designated subgenus "Casanovula" (within the genus Pectinivalva) because these metallic-colored species sport mustache-like patches that seem to helpthem lure females by spreading their scent.

These patches — which look like overlapping shells up close — can be found on their front legs, wings or abdomen and they are thought to help disperse scent from a close range during courtship of the female.

Romantic bouquet: The male Pectinivalva minotaurus has two kinds of shell-like scent scales on the abdomen to woo the female. Image: Landcare Research and Naturalis Biodiversity Center.

One of the group's more remarkable species is Pectinivalva (Casanovula) minotaurus­, named for the bull-headed Minotaur of Greek myths. The male of this species has two different kinds of the scent-spreading tufts on its abdomen and huge, bizarrely flattened antennae, researchers say.

LiveScience has more: Link