The Whistling Moth: the males of this species produce a "whistling" sound in order to attract potential mates
Above: the common whistling moth, Hecatesia fenestrata
Moths of the genus Hecatesia are able to "whistle" using castanet-like structures located on the leading edge of each forewing.
Above: the castanet-like structure on the forewing of a male whistling moth
These structures are essentially curved, transparent patches of cuticle that have a pleated texture with a knob-like protrusion on one end; when the moth claps its wings together, the protrusion from one wing rubs up against the cuticle ridges on the opposite wing, and a distinctive "clicking-whistling" sound is produced.
Male whistling moths typically whistle during courtship rituals and territorial displays. Some of the moths in this genus also engage in a ritual known as "buzz-bumping," during which the males fly in circles around one another as they whistle competitively.
Above: male whistling moths
As this article explains:
Only a few [noctuid moth species] have been proven to use sound during courtship. Among these are males of the Australian whistling moths Hecatesia exultans, Hecatesia fenestrata and Hecatesia thyridion.
The signals function primarily in a mate-attraction mode. Females approach calling males and solicit copulations. The mating system of Hecatesia appears to be an example of lek polygyny. Males defend territories that lack resources or oviposition sites.
Above: a female whistling moth, Hecatesia fenestrata
The same article goes on to describe how "whistling" is used during territorial displays:
Male–male agonistic interactions are also mediated by acoustic signals. Males frequently approach males calling nearby, and territorial "buzz-bumping" matches result, in which vigorous calls are interspersed with attempts to butt the intruder.
Hecatesia thyridion and Hecatesia fenestrata have similar acoustically mediated mating systems. Males in these species call during special upwind zigzagging display flights over their territories. Instead of "buzz-bumping," territorial males participate in buzzing aerial "dogfights" with intruding males.
Above: Hecatesia fenestrata and Hecatesia exultans
The genus Hecatesia contains several different species of whistling moth, all of which are endemic to Australia. Each species produces its own unique whistle; the exact social context/role of that behavior also differs slightly from one species to the next.
Exploring Animal Behavior Through Sound: Insect Bioacoustics and Biotremology
Journal of Experimental Biology: Un chant d'appel amoureux: Acoustic Communication in Moths
Arthropod Bioacoustics: Percussion in Hecatesia
Animal Behavior: an Evolutionary Approach: The History of a Signal-Receiving Mechanism
Australian Lepidoptera: Hecatesia fenestrata
Journal of Experimental Biology: Moths are not Silent, but Whisper Ultrasonic Courtship Songs
Field Guide to the Insects of Tasmania: Genus Hecatesia
Communicative and Integrative Biology: Private Ultrasonic Whispering in Moths
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