What is also interesting is that the wing looks three-dimensional, but that they are in reality completely flat. The curled effect is due to light brown patterns on the edges of the wings. If you look carefully you can see this at 0:23 in the video:
Thursday, 9 October 2014
Is it a Moth or a Dead Leaf?
The Uropyia meticulodina, a species of moth found in China and Taiwan has not only adapted to mimic the brown colour of a leaf, but a three-dimensional curled up dead leaf.
It is very easy to see how this adaptation has provided this moth with a selective advantage, the artistic camouflage is very effective in concealing them from predators. The wings of the Uropyia meticulodina depict a leaf catching the light and even the fine details of leaf veins seem to be included. It is quite extraordinary to think that the exact combination of colours and patterns here that so accurately mimic a dead leaf are the result of completely random genetic mutations.
What is also interesting is that the wing looks three-dimensional, but that they are in reality completely flat. The curled effect is due to light brown patterns on the edges of the wings. If you look carefully you can see this at 0:23 in the video:
What is also interesting is that the wing looks three-dimensional, but that they are in reality completely flat. The curled effect is due to light brown patterns on the edges of the wings. If you look carefully you can see this at 0:23 in the video:
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