Chien C. Lee

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  • Although many small insects disguise themselves as ants to take advantage of their unpalatability, mimicry by another ant species is quite a rare occurrence. At a quick glance the two ants in this photo appear the same, especially while they are quickly scurrying down a stem, but closer inspection reveals that in fact there is a clever deception taking place. The ant at the bottom is Crematogaster inflata, an uncommon species from the rainforests of Borneo, which is distinctive in having a swollen orange metathorax. Its glands can exude a toxic sticky fluid as a defense and predators thus tend to avoid this species, heeding its bright warning coloration. At top is a relatively harmless Camponotus ant (actually an unnamed species) that mimics the Crematogaster in size, shape, and color - although its orange coloration is found on its abdomen rather than its thorax.  Observations of this species are rare but curiously, these Camponotus mimics have only ever been observed in close proximity to colonies of Crematogaster inflata. The exact nature of their association and whether or not these mimics derive other advantages from their toxic models is still unknown. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Patents don’t exist in nature, and no species has a monopoly on clever designs. Here, a mantidfly (Mantispidae) makes use of spiny raptorial front legs to catch prey, much like a praying mantis. Mantidflies are actually more closely related to lacewings and ant-lions, and like their relatives they have no chemical or otherwise painful defenses against predators. Because of this, many mantidflies mimic wasps and in this particular species it appears to specifically mimic an orange Night Wasp (Provespa anomala). Anyone who has ventured into the Bornean rainforest after dark knows that night wasps are to be avoided: they possess an extremely painful sting that can cause skin necrosis. Danum Valley, Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • In a strikingly specific instance of mimicry, the patterns on the wings of this moth (Macrocilix maia) appear to resemble two flies feeding at a glistening bird dropping. This, coupled with a pungent odor that the moth emits, may be enough to dissuade a predator from considering a meal. Although flies are certainly edible, they nevertheless sometimes serve as models for mimicry because they are so quick and agile that most birds won't bother pursuing them. Kinabalu National Park, Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • With a full palette of colorful wing scales at their disposal, butterflies are capable of pulling off some of the most convincing and complex mimicries in the insect world. At first glance this is a common clear-winged Ithomiid butterfly, which are known for their toxicity and unpalatability. However, it is actually a Clearwinged Mimic-white (Dismorphia theucharila), a non-toxic species of the family Pieridae. It can be distinguished from its toxic models (Oleria spp.) by counting the number of legs: Dismorphia has six, whereas Oleria stands on only four. Insectivorous birds don’t have time to stop and count the legs on every butterfly in the forest, so this mimicry is a highly successful one. Yasuní National Park, Ecuador.
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  • Some of the most recognizable of all insects, ladybird beetles are brightly colored to warn predators of the potent alkaloids present in their blood, making them not only foul-smelling but also quite toxic. In a classic case of mimicry, this tiny spider (Paraplectana sp. - probably an undescribed species), carries out a convincing masquerade by means of its similar coloration and bulbous domed abdomen. East Kalimantan, Indonesia (Borneo).
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  • Ant-mimic Crab Spider (Amyciaea forticeps), male. Kubah National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Undoubtedly one of the world's most remarkable plants, the parasitic Rafflesia holds the record for having the largest flower, sometimes reching over one meter across. Their macabre beauty belies a clever deception: the dark reddish coloration and putrid stench of the bloom mimic the rotting carcass of an animal, which thus lures carrion flies into the interior chamber where they will pollinate it. There are around 30 species in the genus, with variable flower sizes, this being R. tuan-mudae from Borneo, one of the largest. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Undoubtedly one of the world's most remarkable plants, the parasitic Rafflesia holds the record for having the largest flower, sometimes reching over one meter across. Their macabre beauty belies a clever deception: the dark reddish coloration and putrid stench of the bloom mimic the rotting carcass of an animal, which thus lures carrion flies into the interior chamber where they will pollinate it. There are around 30 species in the genus, with variable flower sizes, this being R. tuan-mudae from Borneo, one of the largest. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Undoubtedly one of the world's most remarkable plants, the parasitic Rafflesia holds the record for having the largest flower, sometimes reching over one meter across. Their macabre beauty belies a clever deception: the dark reddish coloration and putrid stench of the bloom mimic the rotting carcass of an animal, which thus lures carrion flies into the interior chamber where they will pollinate it. There are around 30 species in the genus, with variable flower sizes, this being R. tuan-mudae from Borneo, one of the largest. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Painted Antnest Frog (Lithodytes lineatus), a mimic of toxic dendrobatid frogs. Yasuní National Park, Ecuador.
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  • The Three-striped Ground Snake (Pseudoxyrhopus tritaeniatus) is certainly one of the most beautiful of Madagascan endemic snakes, but why is it colored this way? Bold red stripes are frequently used as an aposematic warning, indicating to other animals of severe danger. It is curious then that not only is this species completely non-venomous but there are in fact no other dangerous snakes in Madagascar that this could possibly be a mimic of. An interesting theory points to the co-occurrence of large red toxic millipedes in the same forests – could these actually be a mimicry model for this snake? On an island legendary for its biological curiosities, nothing seems beyond the realm of possibility. Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar.
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  • Wax-tailed Planthopper (Pterodictya reticularis). The waxy filaments may serve to mimic an insect that has been keeled by parasitoid fungi, and thus dispel a predator's interest. Yasuní National Park, Ecuador.
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  • The bizarre bloom of a Rhizanthes (R. lowii) unfurls its odorous and sinister-looking petals. A member of the Rafflesia family, this rare plant is also completely parasitic, living within its host vine and possessing no leaves, stems, or roots of its own. Like the more well-known Rafflesia, the flowers mimic a rotting animal carcass to attract carrion flies as pollinators. Measuring perhaps 30cm across, the bloom is only open for a few days before dying. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Darkling beetle (Cuphotes erichsoni), mimic of unpalatable fungus beetles (Gibbifer spp., Erotylidae). Yasuní National Park, Ecuador.
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  • Rarely encountered due to their subterranean habits, Dwarf Pipe Snakes (Anomochilidae) are very little studied and are known from only a small handful of specimens. In addition to their bold coloration (which may serve to mimic venomous coral snakes), they also a false head on their tail to deflect attacks away from their true head. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Planthopper (Rhotana marmorata), showing wings that mimic the appearance of a jumping spider which is one of their primary predators. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Rarely encountered due to their subterranean habits, Dwarf Pipe Snakes (Anomochilidae) are very little studied and are known from only a small handful of specimens. In addition to their bold coloration (which may serve to mimic venomous coral snakes), they also a false head on their tail to deflect attacks away from their true head. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Ant-hunting spider (Mallinella sp.) predating a Giant Forest Ant (Dinomyrmex gigas ssp. borneensis), which it also mimics. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Sun Glass Frog (Hyalinobatrachium aureoguttatum), male hiding on the underside of a leaf. The pattern on the back of this species mimics a cluster of the frog's eggs, which help to deter attacks by predatory wasps. Esmeraldas, Ecuador.
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  • Crab spiders of the genus Amyciaea are excellent mimics of Weaver Ants (Oecophylla), their preferred prey. In this manner they are able to both avoid predators and easily approach within striking distance of the ants. North Maluku, Indonesia.
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  • Sun Glass Frog (Hyalinobatrachium aureoguttatum), male hiding on the underside of a leaf. The pattern on the back of this species mimics a cluster of the frog's eggs, which help to deter attacks by predatory wasps. Esmeraldas, Ecuador.
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  • Tiger moth (Correbidia sp.) which mimics a toxic net-winged beetle (Lycidae). Esmeraldas, Ecuador.
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  • The stinking Rhizanthes flower (Rhizanthes lowii) mimics a rotting carcass so well that carrion flies swarm around it to lay their eggs (visible as white flecks near the center of the flower).  In so doing the flies act as pollinating agents for this strange plant. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Assassin bug (Zelurus sp.) which mimics a spider wasp. Yasuní National Park, Ecuador.
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  • In possession of one of the most painful stings in the insect world, tarantula wasps (Pepsis spp.) are avoided by just about every animal in the forest. This makes them a great thing to be mistaken for, especially if you happen to be an otherwise defenseless katydid such as this (Aganacris velutina). The katydid not only mimics the wasp’s distinctive coloration of a shiny black body with bright orange wings and antennae, but also its quick and jerky movements, making it appear decidedly ‘un-katydidlike’. This is particularly amazing considering katydids are family of insects normally renowned for their remarkable camouflage colorations. Canandé Reserve, Esmeraldas, Ecuador.
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  • The interior of a giant Rafflesia flower (R. tuan-mudae). With petals sometimes spanning over a meter in diameter, Rafflesia are the world's largest flowers. Flies, which act as pollinators, are attracted to the color and stench of the bloom, which mimics rotting meat. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Wasp-mimicking moth (Xestocasis sp.). Papua, Indonesia (New Guinea).
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  • Wasp-mimicking moth (Atrijuglans hetaohei). Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Asian Ant Mantis (Odontomantis sp.). Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Rafflesia hasseltii, developing bud. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • A deceptive beauty: this tiny epiphytic orchid (Dendrobium cuthbertsonii), which bears flowers that last for up to nine months and are larger than the entire plant itself, offers no nectar reward for visiting pollinators. However, it appears remarkably similar in appearance to nectar-rich Rhododendrons which have flowers the same color and size and grow nearby. West Papua, Indonesia (New Guinea).
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  • A juvenile Broad-headed Bug (family Alydidae) showing mimicry of a small ant. Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Jumping spider-mimicking planthopper (Rhotana hirashimai). Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • This seed bug (Metochus schultheissi) is the same size and color as the stinging Diacamma ant it shares its habitat with. Kubah National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Shag-carpet Caterpillar (Prothysana), one of two species that, aside from their curious appearance, exhibit a remarkable form of mimicry. Tiny parasitoid wasps are known for extracting a heavy toll on caterpillars: their larvae devour a caterpillar from inside out, emerging once they are ready to turn into adult wasps and leaving their distinctive white cocoons in the process. At a glance, the white dorsal hairs of Prothsyana look exactly like these wasp cocoons, so much so that the wasps themselves likely avoid laying their eggs in this caterpillar, believing that it has already been eaten. Yasuní National Park, Ecuador.
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  • This predaceous ground beetle (Lioptera plato) exhibits a distinctive warning color pattern which is commonly repeated among many different species of beetles (including a commonly associated fungus beetle Epicaustes) that all share a similar habitat niche. Because all species appear to share a distasteful chemical defense this may be a possible example of Mullerian mimicry. Danum Valley, Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Rafflesia tuan-mudae, male flower. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Bird Dropping Crab Spider (Phrynarachne sp.). Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Despite its appearance and usually fearsome disposition, the Dusky Mock Viper (Psammodynastes pulverulentus) possesses only a weak venom and is not dangerous to humans. It feeds on lizards and frogs. Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Walker's moth (Sosxetra grata). Sumaco Napo-Galeras National Park, Ecuador.
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  • Research has revealed that the marginal eyespots in butterflies can serve to deflect bird attacks away from the insect's vital spots, thereby allowing escape. This effect is particularly effective in the low light intensities of the dim forest understory and at dawn or dusk when the resting butterflies are particularly prone to predation by birds. This individual (Faunis stomphax) shows evidence of having escaped two attacks by birds which attempted to grab the butterfly by the wing eyespots. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • A fly-mimicking weevil (Hoplocopturus sp.) from the Ecuadorian rainforest. Most cases of insect mimicry involve the imitation of a toxic or distasteful species as a model, so the reason for this beetle to appear like an entirely edible fly is not immediately apparent. However, entomologists studying these insects suggest that because flies are so agile and quick, most visually-oriented predators (particularly birds) probably learn to avoid wasting their time pursuing them, hence the incentive for this “evasive mimicry”. Sumaco Napo-Galeras National Park, Napo, Ecuador.
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  • A Bird Dropping Crab Spider (Phrynarachne decipiens) lies in wait on a silken pad it has made to resemble the stain of bird excrement. The remains of two unfortunate flies, victims of the spider's clever deception, lie nearby. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Rafflesia keithii. With blooms up to nearly 1 meter in diameter, this parasitic plant produces some of the largest flowers in the genus. It is endemic to Sabah (northern Borneo). Twin blooms such as this are a rare occurrence.
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  • Dendrobium cuthbertsonii. This tiny epiphytic orchid sports flowers which are much larger than the entire plant itself. It offers no nectar and is theorized to attract pollinating birds by its mimicry of similarly-sized and colored Rhododendron flowers which occur in the same habitat in the montane forests of New Guinea. Papua, Indonesia.
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  • Borneo's orchid flora is estimated to comprise as many as 3000 species. Many remain unnamed and undescribed by science, including this tiny species (Bulbophyllum sp.). Although many Bulbophyllum flowers entice pollinators by unusual, often foul-smelling, odors, the bug-like appearance of this species' flowers may play a role in luring insects, a case of Pouyannian mimicry. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Jumping spider-mimicking moth (Nymphicula sp.). Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Bird Dropping Crab Spider (Phrynarachne decipiens) preying on cockroach (Ectobiidae). Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Nearly mature flower buds of Rhizanthes lowii, just several days before opening. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Bird Dropping Crab Spider (Phrynarachne sp.). Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • What could seem more unappetizing to a bird than the prospect of eating its own droppings? The incredible masquerade of bird-dropping crab spiders (Phrynarachne spp.) enables them thus to hide in plain sight, usually perched exposed on the upper surface of a leaf. Not only does the spider itself look (and smell) like dung, but it also skillfully uses its own silk to simulate white stains of the splatter of a bird dropping – at times even crafting ‘drip lines’ down the furrows of a leaf. This disguise not only helps them avoid predators but it also attracts hungry flies which are hoping for a meal. Most spiders usually discard the remains of their prey after consuming them, but Phrynarachne sometimes incorporate the carcasses, as shown here, into convincing extensions of their facade. Kubah National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • After emerging from a Rafflesia flower (Rafflesia tuan-mudae), this carrion fly carries a load of pollen stuck to its back. If it manages to visit another Rafflesia within a week it will inadvertently transfer the pollen to the receptive flower. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Tiger moth (Cratoplastis diluta), mimicking a firefly beetle (Lampyridae). Esmeraldas, Ecuador.
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  • Wasp moths (Amata pseudextensa), mating. Mount Kinabalu National Park, Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • With its gaudy appearance and bold stance on top of a leaf, one might think that this tiny metalmark moth (Brenthia sp.) would make easy prey for a small predator like a jumping spider. However, if you blur your eyes just a little, you might be able to see why jumping spiders hesitate before attacking these moths: their wing patterns look remarkably similar to another jumping spider. Note particularly the “fuzzy legs” (dark bands) held to the side and the eyespots with reflections at the top. Jumping spiders may not have as acute eyesight as we do, but they are nevertheless visually-oriented predators, and they also avoid risky conflicts with others of their kind. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • When threatened, the harmless Ceylonese Pipe Snake (Cylindrophis maculatus) employs a clever trick: it flattens its tail and raises it to expose the bright checkered pattern underneath. Not only does this divert attacks away from its vulnerable head (which remains hidden beneath), but these bold color patterns resemble venomous coral snakes (Calliophis sp.). Central Province, Sri Lanka.
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  • Broad-headed bugs (Riptortus sp.), juveniles showing mimicry of Oecophylla weaver ants. West Papua, Indonesia (New Guinea).
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  • Ant-mimicking mantis (Hapalopeza sp.), juvenile. Kubah National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo)
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  • This large moth caterpillar (Phyllodes sp.) gives the threatening appearance of a snake head, which may help to ward off potential predators. The eye-spots are patches of color on the body of the caterpillar, with its real head curled beneath. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • A fly-mimicking weevil (Hoplocopturus sp.) from the Ecuadorian rainforest. Most cases of insect mimicry involve the imitation of a toxic or distasteful species as a model, so the reason for this beetle to appear like an entirely edible fly is not immediately apparent. However, entomologists studying these insects suggest that because flies are so agile and quick, most visually-oriented predators (particularly birds) probably learn to avoid wasting their time pursuing them, hence the incentive for this “evasive mimicry”. Sumaco Napo-Galeras National Park, Napo, Ecuador.
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  • Flightless tiger beetle (Tricondyla sp.). South Sulawesi, Indonesia.
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  • A giant bloom of Rafflesia arnoldii, the largest flower in the world, unfolds its petals in the Sumatran rainforest.  It takes nealy 2 days for the flower to fully open. West Sumatra, Indonesia.
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  • After developing as a large bud over many months, this flower of Rafflesia cantleyi will take just 24 hours to fully open, and last for only 3 days before withering. Perak, Malaysia.
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  • Jumping spider-mimicking caddisfly (Nectopsyche tuanis). Cartago, Costa Rica.
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  • Ceylon Bird Dropping Crab Spider (Phrynarachne ceylonica), female at nest. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Ant-mimicking mantis (Acromantinae), nymph. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Lion Beetle (Ulochaetes leoninus). California, USA.
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  • Fungus beetle (Encaustes sp.) exhibiting Muellerian mimicry of associated ground beetles (Lioptera sp.). Both fungus beetles and ground beetles show the same orange and black patterns and are similarly distasteful to predators. Danum Valley, Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Picture-winged fly (Cleitamia sp., family Platystomatidae) with spider-like patterns on its wings to deter predation from spiders. Papua, Indonesia (New Guinea).
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  • Rafflesia keithii. Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Sun Glass Frog (Hyalinobatrachium aureoguttatum), male. Esmeraldas, Ecuador.
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  • Mantispid (family Mantispidae), also known as a ‘mantidfly’. Looking something like a praying mantis crossed with a lacewing, this tiny predator uses the same raptorial front legs to grab its prey and hold them fast while eating them alive. Contrary to their appearance, they are not closely related to mantids, implying that this effective hunting strategy has evolved on more than one occasion in the insect kingdom. Pulong Tau National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Ant-mimicking tiger beetle (Neocollyris sp.). Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Lined Pipe Snake (Cylindrophis lineatus) also known as Blanford's Pipe Snake, a rare species endemic to Borneo and known from only a few specimens. When threatened, this species defends itself by raising its tail which is thickened and colored to appear as a head. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • It’s hard at first glance not to be fooled by the appearance of this wasp-mimicking katydid (Aganacris nitida), which is modeled after a stinging thread-waisted wasp (Eremnophila spp.). To enhance the effectiveness of this masquerade, the katydid also copies the wasp’s quick erratic movements, as most other katydids (especially camouflaged ones) move rather slowly. Katydids possess no chemical or otherwise painful defenses, and make for particularly good meals for predators, which is the driving force behind their remarkable disguises. Yasuní National Park, Ecuador.
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  • Mantispid (family Mantispidae), also known as a ‘mantidfly’. Looking something like a praying mantis crossed with a lacewing, this tiny predator uses the same raptorial front legs to grab its prey and hold them fast while eating them alive. Contrary to their appearance, they are not closely related to mantids, implying that this effective hunting strategy has evolved on more than one occasion in the insect kingdom. Danum Valley Conservation Area, Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Producing the largest flowers in the world, the parasitic Rafflesia plant has no leaves or roots and lives entirely upon its host Tetrastigma vine. Each flower, which can take over 6 months to develop, is open for less than a week, during which it emits a fetid odor and attracts masses of flies for pollination. This species, Rafflesia pricei, is endemic to Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Red-headed Reed Snake (Calamaria schlegeli schlegeli), a small soil-dwelling species which feeds on frogs and slugs. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Camouflage or a more cunning mimicry? Although cryptically patterned, this flatid planthopper from the Madagascan rainforest doesn't appear to blend particularly well against the tree bark on which it rests. However, a closer examination of its lace-like texture reveals that it is covered with filamentous white tufts, giving it a remarkable resemblance to an insect corpse that has been consumed by an entomopathogenic fungus. Given the abundance of such fungi in these wet forests, and their undesirability as food, this may be a clever strategy to deceive predators. Andasibe, Madagascar.
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  • Rafflesia keithii. With blooms up to nearly 1 meter in diameter, this parasitic plant produces some of the largest flowers in the genus. It is endemic to Sabah (northern Borneo). Twin blooms such as this are a rare occurrence. Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Keeping its wings outstretched and rotating erratically on the surface of a leaf, this tiny metalmark moth (Brenthia sp.) pulls off a surprisingly good mimicry of a jumping spider and its movements. Lab tests have demonstrated that jumping spiders, which normally constitute a major predator for small moths, will usually avoid Brenthia since an encounter with another spider could lead to a perilous confrontation. Yunnan, China.
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  • Although completely non-venomous, the Painted Mock Viper (Psammodynastes pictus) defends itself by aggressively striking if threatened. It often hunts aquatic animals such as frogs and fish by perching on a low branch over the surface of the water. Central Kalimantan, Indonesia (Borneo).
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  • Iridescent Bark Mantis (Metallyticus splendidus). One of the most beautiful of all praying mantises, these rare mantids are unique in their metallic coloration. They are found on and underneath bark of rainforest trees and are believed to prey exclusively on cockroaches. Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • The bold patterns on the wings of this ricaniid planthopper bear a striking resemblance to the legs and body of a black spider. This mimicry may serve to ward off potential predators such as jumping spiders, which are highly visually-oriented hunters. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • While the majority of katydids masquerade as leaves, this species (Anaphidna sp.) takes on a different strategy: it rests with its wings raised in the air to mimic a lichen-covered twig. The long filamentous antennae of many insects, which can sometimes betray their camouflage to a predator and are thus often kept tucked away for concealment, are in this species deceptively disguised with bends and kinks. Sumaco Napo-Galeras National Park, Ecuador.
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  • Leaf-mimic katydid (Typophyllum sp.), male. Yasuní National Park, Ecuador.
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  • Not all gaudy appearances are a disguise – some are simply a warning. Quite a number of moth species deceptively mimic the shape and color of stinging insects (such as wasps and bees), but others such as this Window-winged Moth (Glanycus coendersi) don’t appear to resemble any particular model. Instead, the bright aposematic coloration of this insect is believed to be a bold advertisement of its distastefulness. This defense works as an effective signal to predators, thereby allowing the moth to exploit other lifestyle advantages such as foraging during daylight hours (e.g. this is a diurnal species) while other moths must retreat into hiding until nightfall. Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Mossy masquerade: a young Moss Mimic Katydid (Championica montana) doing what it does best. If you specialize in eating moss it’s a big plus if you look like it as well. In the damp cloud forests of Costa Rica, every surface is covered with dripping wet bryophytes, such as the leaf this katydid is perched on. Although abundant, it’s not the most energy rich food in the world, so these insects conserve their energy by moving slowly while they graze. Faced with a potential threat, they simply lay flat against the mossy substrate and disappear. Limón, Costa Rica.
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  • With night vision hundreds of times more sensitive than ours and the ability to discern color even in near total darkness, Madagascar’s leaf-tailed geckos (Uroplatus spp.) are superbly adapted as nocturnal insect hunters. Large eyes, however, demand special maintenance. Like most geckos, Uroplatus have no eyelids and cannot blink; instead, they utilize their long tongues like windshield wipers, keeping their eyes moist and clean. This is a young male Satanic Leaf-tailed Gecko (U. phantasticus), a denizen of the island’s rainforest zone and a superb mimic of dead foliage. Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar.
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  • This unidentified caterpillar which feeds on epiphytic moss, is camouflaged to look like its preferred substrate. Arfak Mountains, West Papua, Indonesia (New Guinea).
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  • In the Borneo rainforest, a leaf isn't always what it seems. Many tropical trees and shrubs have pale or reddish young leaves as part of a strategy to deter herbivory: the absence of green chlorophyll reduces their nutritive value. Here, an orange morph leaf-legged katydid (Eulophophyllum lobulatum) mimics this exact foliage type. This insect  has been found to have a variety of colorations ranging from green to yellow and red, an adaptation that probably makes it more difficult for their predators to learn a fixed search image for any particular color. Danum Valley Conservation Area, Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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