Dealing with Danger

Surrounded by birds and other enemies, insects summon an impressive range of defensive weapons such as camouflage, mimicry, spines, bright colors and bad smells to protect themselves.

We are not here. . . Some insects have the advantage of camouflage--being able to escape danger simply by resembling sticks, leaves, or other parts of their surroundings. Some stick mimics are so well camouflaged that they can sit safely in full view of their enemy.

Who are we?. . . Pretending to look or act like something else to avoid being eaten is a key form of defense for many insects. Several edible species survive through Batesian mimicry--tricking bird predators by resembling other, poisonous species.

The great pretenders . . . Flaunting its bright colors would seem foolish for the tasty viceroy butterfly (Limenitis archippus) had it not evolved a close resemblance to its poisonous cousin, the monarch (Danaus plexippus). A bird that has tried to eat a toxin-laden monarch just once is likely to avoid orange and black butterflies altogether.

Just try it. . . The New Guinea walking stick (Heteropteryx dilatata) uses the sharp spines covering its thorax and legs to stab any creature trying to capture it.

Here we are. . . From bright warning colors to sharp spines to foul odors, some insects advertise to keep the enemy away.

What stinks? . . . Leaf-footed bugs (family Coreidae), like stinkbugs and other true bugs, secrete a smelly substance from glands in their thorax when disturbed.