Have you ever been surprised by a moving twig that turned out to be a peace-loving stick insect on an afternoon stroll? Or maybe you’ve marvelled over a pink petal-like critter perched in a praying position, that’s a flower mantis, disguising itself to hunt hummingbirds and other prey.
These creatures, and many others like them, play the ultimate game of hide-and-seek, blending in so well with their surroundings that they go unnoticed until they decide to be seen.
Sometimes impressive mimicry and deception is used to outwit prey, and other times, it’s for protection against predators, like in the case of some caterpillars.
Keep reading to learn about the cool tricks nature awarded some of its smallest creatures!
Masking its real identity from predators, the common baron caterpillar is one of the creatures that uses camouflage for protection, hoping to complete its lifelong quest to morph into to medium-sized brown, or green butterfly.
Take a look at the clip of the green mango leaf, is there anything peculiar that catches your eye? Keep watching.
Though it seems like a simple green leaf, the baron of all bugs is stretched across the middle vein, blending in almost perfectly with its environment.
This is the common baron caterpillar (Euthalia aconthea), a creature native to India and Southeast Asia.
Netizens were impressed with the crafty caterpillar’s ability to blend with its environment. “Nature’s perfect harmony! When caterpillar and leaf become a work of art in symmetry,” writes one and a second shares, “This is the best camouflage I’ve ever seen!”
Meanwhile, one user suggests its fern-like design is more creepy than cool. “Things like this are what my nightmares are made of. Very fascinating though.”
Common baron eggs, laid by nymphalid butterflies, look like spiky green balls found on the underside of a leaf, oftentimes leaves attached to mango trees–it’s favorite fruit.
As the larvae grows, branching spines emerge from its sides to help them crawl across leaves, a landing pad that serves as food and a spot to blend in, making them almost invisible to birds.
The feathery-like green caterpillars, that have a palate for mangos and cashew nuts, use camouflage as a survival strategy, making it far more likely to reach metamorphosis, in which they develop into a butterfly and have babies of their own.
In this time of development, which usually lasts several weeks, the fuzzy caterpillar mostly lives a solitary life, dodging hungry predators with its masterful skills disguise.
Next, entering the stage of chrysalis–a period where it seeks refuge in a bright green leaf-like pod–magic happens! Soon after it flies out as a less impressively camouflaged nymphalid butterfly, either brown or green depending on its gender.
The common baron isn’t the only brilliant critter that’s developed a safety strategy.
Cartoon caterpillar
The adorable, cartoon-like spicebush swallowtail caterpillar is a favorite snack among dragonflies, birds and spiders. When these cute little things feel threatened, they exude red drops of a foul-smelling liquid. Found across North America, the spicebush caterpillar transforms into a beautiful black butterfly, with white spots on the top of its wings, and orange on the underside.
Snakehead caterpillar
The great orange tip caterpillar (Hebomoia glaucippe) gained its popularity for its image snatching ability of a mildly poisonous snake. When this little creature feels threatened, it borrows the look of a vine snake, lifting its head in a way that mimics a snake ready to strike.
When it becomes a butterfly, it grows beautiful white wings with orange and black tips, similar to the markings of a monarch.
Assassin caterpillar
South America’s giant silkworm developed a more lethal approach to self-defence. Known as the “assassin caterpillar,” this creature is covered in hollow spiny hairs that any predator would soon regret touching. Filled with a highly toxic venom, this caterpillar injects a substance through these needles, resulting in internal hemorrhaging and hemolysis. Boasting lethal toxins, this venomous caterpillar can kill an adult human, and in fact is responsible for several deaths in South America every year.
When it sprouts its wings, it becomes a moth.
Nature is so magical and its gifted some of the tiniest creatures the ability to survive. Though some of these evolutionary traits can be deadly, others are just fun to watch, like the adorable spicebush swallowtail!
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