Sunday, February 8, 2009

When you bother a leaf katydid (seen below)!


This is an example of both extreme crypsis and batesian mimicry.

After being disturbed, the katydid presents its back and under-wings that have clearly evolved a pattern to represent a great and glaring set of colorful eyes, which, it has been theorized, evolved as a means to frighten off color sensitive predatory birds (Batesian Mimicry). I am truly awestruck contemplating the dynamic processes that joined together to result in this refined and elegant being, which, lest we forget, is still under the influences of its environment and still a dynamic droplet in the river of evolution. This is a brilliant example of the innate intelligence present within the substratum of the energy of life.

Some Amazon Pics