Mimicry Collection (page 6)

Comma butterfly (Polygonia c-album). This butterfly is found throughout Europe and Asia. The commas wings resemble a fallen leaf in order to avoid detection by predators

Wentletrap snail laying eggs. Wentletrap snail (Epitonium billeeanum, centre right) laying its eggs on a coral (Tubastrea sp.)

Mimic octopus (Octopus sp.). This octopus changes its body shape and colour to confuse predators. It can take the form of a flatfish, sea snake, shrimp, jellyfish, crab, lionfish and many others

Snake mimic hawkmoth caterpillar (Hemeroplanes sp.). When disturbed the caterpillar pulls in its legs and head and expands the front part of its body, which takes the appearance of a snake

Moth caterpillar on a plant stem. The eyespots located towards the head of the caterpillar serve to frighten or startle predators. Photographed in a deciduous tropical forest in Costa Rica

Magpie moth (Abraxas grossulariata) camouflaged against a wall. This moth is found throughout North America and Europe. It uses camouflage to avoid predators such as birds

Wasp mimic bush cricket (Scaphura sp.) on a leaf in the Amazon rainforest. This harmless species of bush cricket is a mimic of wasps of the genus Pepsis

Bee beetle feeding on a flower
Bee beetle (Trichius fasciatus) feeding on a marsh cinquefoil (Potentilla palustris) flower. The beetle is so-called because its markings mimic a bees stripes

Pinned specimen of peacock butterfly, Inachis io
Peacock butterfly. Pinned specimen of the peacock butterfly Inachis io. This butterfly displays insect mimicry in having brightly coloured upper wings with eyespots

Dead-leaf bush crickets mating
Dead-leaf bush crickets (Typophyllum sp.) mating on a leaf in the rainforest. The smaller male has just transferred a large white sperm packet, known as a spermatophore to the larger female

Female leaf-mimic bush cricket (Pterochroza ocellata) on the floor of the Amazon rainforest. This cricket mimics a dead leaf. Photographed in Ecuador

Mating dead-leaf bush crickets
Dead-leaf bush crickets (Typophyllum sp.) mating on a leaf in the rainforest. The male is the smaller of the pair

Dead-leaf bush cricket on a plant stem. Photographed in the Amazon rainforest, Ecuador

Pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus bargibanti) camouflaged on a sea fan coral (Muricella sp.). The colouration and texture of this tiny seahorse have evolved to match the colour and shape of its host coral

Mimic filefish (Paraluteres prionurus). This fish inhabits coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific region. This harmless fish mimics the poisonous saddled puffer fish (Canthigaster valentini)

Longose hawkfish
Longnose hawkfish (Oxycirrhites typus) camouflaged against a gorgonian. Photographed in the Red Sea, Egypt

Commersons frogfish (Antennarius commerson) camouflaged against sponges. The Commersons frogfish (black) can reach up to 38 centimetres in length and is found throughout the Indo-Pacific

Juvenile mimic filefish (Paraluteres prionurus). This fish mimics the poisonous saddled pufferfish (Canthigastor valentini). Photographed in Aibai, Yapen, West Papua in Indonesia, Asia

Pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus bargibanti) camouflaged on a sea fan coral (Muricella sp.). These seahorses have scaleless bodies

Gecko robot foot
Synthetic gecko toes. Toes from a robot foot designed to mimic (biomimetics) the foot of a gecko. The robot foot is made of a dry adhesive polymer

SpinybotII climbing robot, scaling a wall. This robot has been designed to mimic (biomimetics) the climbing ability of insects and spiders

Planthopper nymph
Planthopper (Fulgoromorpha) nymph, a pre-adult stage of this insect. Planthopper nymphs can produce wax from their abdomens to help camouflage themselves

Argus Pheasant feather
Argus secondary wing feathers showing ocelli. See also Fig 56. Page 143 Vol II of Charles Darwin " The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex" 1871

Muller Butterfly Tiger Mimicry Complex 1
An old collection of butterflies in the famous " tiger complex". This is a group of around 200 species of mostly toxic South American species which share a similar pattern of orange

Muller Butterfly Tiger Mimicry Complex 2
An old collection of butterflies in the famous " tiger complex". This is a group of around 200 species of mostly toxic South American species which share a similar pattern of orange

Bird of paradise flower
Bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) flower. This flower is also known as the crane flower. These names are due to the flowers appearance resembling that of a bird

Lithops lesliei Mariae
Living stone plant (Lithops lesliei Mariae )

Lithops aucampiae Kuruman form
Living stone plants (Lithops aucampiae Kuruman form)

Praying mantis (order Mantodea) on a flower. Photographed in Israel

Attacus atlas moth incipient mimicry grn
Wing tip of an atlas moth (Attacus atlas) of Northern India showing the incipient ocelli and markings which appear to resemble a snakes head

Argus feather and Darwin illustration
Composite photograph of Argus secondary wing feather left and right Fig 56. Page 143 Vol II of Charles Darwin " The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex" 1871

Octopus on the seabed
Octopus (order Octopoda) on the seabed. Unknown species of octopus camouflaged against the bleached sands of a coral lagoon

Barbed fishing fly, SEM
Barbed fishing fly, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). The fly, usually made with feathers and hair, imitates the natural food of the fish and stimulates it to feed

Wasp beetle (Clytus arietis). Longhorn beetle wasp mimic on a leaf. Photographed in Sweden

Skeleton shrimp on a sponge. Group of skeleton shrimp (Caprella septentrionalis) waiting to catch their prey. Skeleton shrimp mimic the colour and shape of the fronds of seaweed

Pregnant pygmy seahorse. Pregnant male pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus bargibanti) camouflaged against sea fan coral. Like all seahorses, pygmy seahorses have an unusal form of reproduction

Mimic surgeonfish. Mimic, or chocolate, surgeonfish (Acanthurus pyroferus) are so-called because the juveniles very closely resemble pygmy angelfish (Centropyge argi)

Tonguefish on the seabed. Tonguefish (family Cynoglossidae) are often found mainly in brackish water, such as where rivers flow into the sea, but a few species are found in deep sea floors

Denises pygmy seahorse camouflaged against sea fan coral. Denises pygmy seahorses (Hippocampus denise) are one of the smallest pygmy seahorses and are named after photographer Denise Tackett

Stinkhorn fungus (Phallus impudicus) recently emerged from the egg stage. The tip of the fungus exudes a glutinous gleba (spore mass)

Spruners orchid (Oprhys spruneri)
Spruners orchid flower (Ophrys spruneri). Photographed in the Pelopnnese peninsula, Greece, in spring

Fly Orchid (Ophrys insectifera) in flower. Insect-mimic. Hants
ROG-13187 Fly Orchid - in flower. Insect-mimic Hants, UK Ophrys insectifera Bob Gibbons Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Large Cuttlefish - Camouflage - New South Wales - Australia
VT-3034 Large Cuttlefish - Camouflaged as coral New South Wales, Australia Valerie & Ron Taylor Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Orchid Mantis
PPG-23 Orchid Mantis - juvenile Hymenopus coronatus Pascal Goetgheluck Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Bittern - hiding in reeds
RES-160 BITTERN - at nest, sky pointing hidden in reeds Botaurus stellaris George Reszeter Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Bay Pipefish In Eelgrass (shallow water), San Francisco Bay, California, USA
KEL-990 Bay Pipefish In Eelgrass (shallow water), San Francisco Bay, California, USA. Syngnathus leptorhynchus Ken Lucas Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only

Octopus - A master of camouflage, this large octopus blends into its surroundings perfectly Komodo Is. Marine Park
VT-8393 Octopus - A master of camouflage, this large octopus blends into its surroundings perfectly Komodo Is. Marine Park

Octopus - Common. Found all along the rocky reefs of NSW Sydney. Australia
VT-8391 Common Sydney OCTOPUS - endemic Sydney. Australia. Octopus tetricus Found all along the rocky reefs of NSW. Females eat the male after mating

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"Mimicry: Nature's Master of Disguise" In the depths of Rapid Bay, South Australia, a Leafy Seadragon gracefully glides through the water. Its brilliant camouflage renders it invisible to both predators and prey, as they fail to recognize it as a fish. This mesmerizing creature is just one example of nature's remarkable mimicry. Perched delicately on an orchid in Hymenopus coronatus, an Orchid Mantis showcases its incredible ability to blend seamlessly with its surroundings. Its body mimics the vibrant colors and intricate patterns of the flower petals, fooling unsuspecting insects into becoming its next meal. Venturing further into South Australian waters, we encounter another master of disguise - the Sea Horse or Leafy Seadragon from the Syngnathidae family. Endemic to this region, these enchanting creatures perfectly imitate swaying seaweed with their leaf-like appendages, ensuring their survival amidst coral reefs. Traveling across continents to Chios, Greece, we stumble upon a captivating Bee Orchid. With astonishing precision, this flower mimics a female bee in appearance and scent to attract male bees for pollination purposes, and is truly nature's artistry at work. Butterflies take center stage when it comes to showcasing mimicry among species. Their wings adorned with intricate patterns and vibrant hues serve as disguises that confuse potential predators or even lure them away from vulnerable areas. Hidden amongst reeds stands the Bittern Bird RES 155 in Botaurus stellaris; its cryptic plumage blending flawlessly with its marshy habitat. This elusive bird relies on mimicry for survival by remaining unseen by both prey and predators alike. The Larval case of bagworms constructed meticulously using plant fragments demonstrates yet another form found in nature. These clever caterpillars create protective cases that resemble twigs or leaves while they undergo metamorphosis, ensuring their safety until they emerge as beautiful moths.