Page 65 - Allah's Artistry in Colour

The fulgoridae are a species of
often brightly coloured large
homoptera that live in the trop-
ics. Their heads extend out in the form of a hollow "horn". The species of fulgo-
ridae has a horn-like growth on its head that imitates the open mouth (complete
with teeth) of a crocodile. (Big picture) It is believed that the function of these
horn-like extensions may also relate to courtship. The camouflage of the fulgori-
dae in repose as seen in the smaller picture resembles the bark of a tree. When
disturbed, it opens its wings to reveal two large "eyes". This surprises its ene-
mies and gives the animal the chance to run away. 36

Some animals use hairs of different
colours in certain parts of their body as
alarm signs. For instance, when prong-
horn antelopes sense danger, they
broadcast warnings to each other with
their buttocks. Each haunch carries a
patch of white hair underlain by a disc of
muscle. In case of danger, it contracts
the muscle so causing the long hairs to
spread out into a huge rosette, which re-
flects light with particular efficiency.
When the muscle relaxes, the disc con-
tracts immediately. So bright white
flashes are produced that are visible to
other pronghorns even kilometres
away. 37