Internet freaks out over terrifying tentacled moth

The creature—a male creatonotos gangis—might look otherworldly but it is harmless and is just simply looking for love. Gandik/Facebook

MANILA, Philippines — A moth with hairy gray tentacles sprouting from its pulsating rear stunned the internet with many wondering what it is.

A Facebook user from Indonesia posted the video of the moth hanging out on the tiles. The video has over 42 million views and 80,000 shares.

The creature—a male creatonotos gangis—might look otherworldly but it is harmless and is just simply looking for love.

The four tentacles, known as coremata, protruding from the tip of its red abdomen spews pheromones to attract a mate. 

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Males inflate the coremata which can exceed the length of its abdomen. Female creatonotos gangis do not have a coremata and simply release pheromones from its abdomen.

This moth species is found in Southeast Asia and parts of Australia.

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