Barrier moth

The barrier moth is an insect controlled by the Masked Ones and used to protect their campsites whenever they are not open the public. The mother are the size of small birds and spit poison.

Secrets of Deltora
Doran the Dragonlover mentioned barrier moths alongside the Masked Ones in his traveller's guide Secrets of Deltora.

Shadowgate
Lief, Barda, and Jasmine spotted the moths nesting in the trees after Joyeu unknowingly dropped them inside the Masked Ones's camp sight. When Jasmine tried to approach one, the moth spat at her, which prevented the companions from leaving the camp.

When the Masked Ones prepared to leave for Happy Vale, Rust, a member of the inner circle, used a high pitch shriek to call the moths into red boxes for transportation. Two days later, when several members of the Masked Ones attempted a mutiny against the inner circle, Rust summoned the moths to attack them. Afterwards, they were put back into their boxes and taken away with the rest of the troupe.

Anatomy
The moths are pale with large wings covered in bright red markings. These markings form the words Keep out and are able to glow scarlet. The moths are giant, being the size of small birds.

Behaviour
When not given a command, the moths rest in large clusters on trees and fence posts surrounding the Masked One's campsites. The only time they will move is if they are summoned. If approached by a being not wearing a mask, their wings glow and they spit a corrosive liquid, a form of poison that burns any flesh it touches.

In-between camp sights, the moths are stored in red boxes, which they are trained to fly into.

rivia

 * In Secrets of Deltora, Doran mentioned that he has never seen a barrier moth in the wild. Combined with their unusual behaviour, it is likely the Masked Ones bred and own the entire population of barrier moths.