Spot Me If You Can: Mimicry and Camouflage in Insects
Photo StoryPublished : Nov 19, 2024Updated : Jan 21, 2025
Some insects have evolved to blend in with their surroundings; some mimic other insects by adopting their shapes, colours, and behaviours. These are survival strategies that allow them to avoid being detected by predators or prey and deceive their rivals
Text by: Femi Ezhuthupallickal Benny
Some insects have evolved to blend in with their surroundings; some mimic other insects by adopting their shapes, colours, and behaviours. These are survival strategies that allow them to avoid being detected by predators or prey and deceive their rivals
Have you ever scrolled through social media and stumbled upon one of those captivating posts that challenge you to spot the camouflaged animal? Perhaps you’ve spent a few moments searching for a well-hidden snow leopard or a cleverly concealed owl or snake, wondering at nature’s knack for disguise. These visual puzzles spark a sense of curiosity, showcasing the extraordinary lengths animals go to in order to blend into their surroundings. In the insect world, mimicry and camouflage reach even more astonishing levels. Some insects have evolved not just to blend in with their surroundings but completely mimic other insects, adopting their shapes, colours, and even behaviours in a remarkable manner. Have you come across a stick-like insect in a forest or on a tree twig? Or an insect that resembles a leaf so completely that it took you a couple of minutes to notice it? There are numerous survival strategies insects exhibit as they camouflage with their surroundings or visual backgrounds to avoid being detected by predators or prey. Background matching (or crypsis), disruptive colouration, and masquerade (resembling another creature or object) are three types of camouflage strategies usually seen in insects.
Among insects and many other animals, survival is a crucial matter of blending in rather than standing out. Mimicry is one of the most significant and interesting insect survival strategies. Mimicry among insects usually happens when one species evolves to resemble another, probably better-adapted species. The primary purpose of mimicry has been protection from predators and better chances at prey catching their prey. Some of the major types of insect mimicry are Batesian, Müllerian, and aggressive mimicry.
All the different survival strategies they display are a testament to the incredible adaptability and ingenuity of insects. Admiring and acknowledging them is essential to spreading familiarity and awareness about fascinating insect species.
About the contributor
Femi Ezhuthupallickal Benny
Femi is a PhD student at University College London (UCL), working on the ecology and behavior of Asian giant hornets. Passionate about insects, especially wasps, she loves fieldwork in underexplored places, studying how insects interact with their environment and discovering new species while at it!