Leaf's life. (Freeze Frame).Don't be fooled by this leaf. The Southeast Asian leaf insect leaf insect, common name given to herbivorous insects of leaflike appearance forming a single family in the order Phasmida. Leaf insects are green and have extremely flattened, irregularly shaped bodies, wings, and legs; they are usually about 4 in. (10 cm) long. is a living imposter! A close relative of the walking stick, this 9 centimeter (3.5 inch)-long female imitates leaves at the Butterfly Pavilion & Insect Center in Westminster, Colorado The City of Westminster is a Home Rule Municipality located in Adams County and Jefferson County of the State of Colorado, United States. Westminster is a northwest suburb of Denver. . "Its camouflage is incredible," says curator John Watts John Watts is the name of many people, including the following:
The edges of the insect's large, leathery leath·er·y adj. Having the texture or appearance of leather: a leathery face. leath  er·i·ness n. wings have a vein pattern and frayed edges similar to a real leaf that's been nibbled by hungry caterpillars. "The insect even has a rocking behavior that makes it appear like a leaf blowing in the breeze," says Watts. These adaptive defenses prevent the leaf insect--also known as Phyllium bioculatum--from being munched on by predators like spiders, ants, and lizards. But there's one downside: These masters of disguise actually feed on leaves--and sometimes mistake one another for dinner! |
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