Page 66 - 2006 DT 12 Issues

Who am I? predators. Camouflage, deceptive it harder to be seen on the ground, but
coloration and mimicry are rampant in the white fur on its belly helps it to
ne of the most bizarre dramas every corner of the natural world. blend in against the sky when up in
in the insect world plays out The complexity of survival adapta- the trees.
Oeach spring in the Kelso Dunes tions depends on the environment in Few insect species survive without
of the Mojave National Preserve, just which the animal lives. Body color- using some form of identity fraud.
southwest of Las Vegas. Deception and ing is a common form of camouflage Some flies avoid predation by mim-
treachery worthy of a Greek tragedy in both predator and prey. For polar icking the appearance of stinging
are employed by blister beetle larvae bears, simply blending in against the bees or wasps. But because insects
of the species Meloe franciscanus blazing white background of an ice spend most of their lives among
masquerading as female bees to in- floe provides the advantage of surprise plants, most have evolved plant-like
filtrate bee nests, an unusual strategy in snagging a seal. The mottled spots forms and colorations to fool a host
designed to propagate the species at of a leopard’s coat are perfect cover of predators. Walking stick insects,
no cost to the beetles. in a deep jungle tree, where it lies in which have developed the ability to
After hatching in the warm sands, wait for a victim to pass below. The mimic twigs or foliage, can even drop
hoards of the small dark-orange beetle individual brown-and-white stripe off appendages to change their form.
larvae aggregate together to mimic, patterns of zebras, an example of dis- Some species have developed stripes
and probably smell like, a single fe- ruptive coloration, can be confusing to to blend in with their preferred plants.
male Habropoda pallida bee. Hapless a charging lion that has singled out a Any movement of a camouflaged
male bees are duped into pseudo- weak animal. When the zebras scatter, insect can spell doom, but walking
copulation with the imposter “female,” determining who’s who in the blur can sticks can dissemble when pressured
possibly through bo- be tricky. by swaying in the breeze like a loose
gus chemical cues. For prey, piece of litter.
The males transport camouflage Camouflaged insects usually stay
and deposit the now- is often more in one position for long periods, but
disaggregated larvae e l a b o r a t e the beautiful Indian dead-leaf but-
onto numerous female than in preda- terfly pulls a neat trick. When a bird
bees during further tors. A prey decides to follow the butterfly to a
mating attempts. The animal is pro- nearby bush with the expectation of
females, in turn, carry tected from dining, the butterfly closes its wings
the larvae back to their predators as and “disappears,” looking—even to
nests, where bee eggs long as its en- experts—just like a dead leaf when in
already in the nest are vironment is its resting state.
eaten by the interlop- black blister beetle stable. When Even the plants upon which her-
ers. Eventually, the the environ- bivorous insects prey are thought to
beetles hatch and go on their way. ment changes, survival depends on how have developed defensive tactics by
In the wild, such cunning and well it adapts to the new surroundings. adapting the coloration of their vul-
deception are important weapons in The snowshoe hare must gradually nerable organs to undermine insect
the struggle to survive. It’s not who adjust its summer appearance from camouflage, thus encouraging the
you are, but who you seem to be that a rusty brown coloration with black pests to dine elsewhere.
can make the difference between life ear and tail tips, which allow it to Deceptive coloration can take
and death. The blister beetle scenario hide in leaf litter, to a new all-white several forms. Snakes faking danger-
is an extreme example of mimicry in winter coat for a more exposed life ous colors can only get away with it
a world where animals have evolved in the snow. The counter shading of in habitats where truly deadly snakes
adaptations to avoid being eaten or the red squirrel gives it cover below are found. The harmless scarlet king-
to help them become more effective and above. The darker top fur makes snake naturally sports red, yellow and

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