The Wonders of mimicry: Caterpillar-flower

Some caterpillars of the Geometridae family have acquired an interesting defense mechanism. Usually, caterpillars are colored to match the color of the plant they feed on. There are interesting specimens that have gone further than others in the evolution of mimicry, such as Nemoriinae Tribe. The caterpillar masks its body with flower petals or leaves, attaching them with a silk thread. When the petals wither, the caterpillar builds a bouquet of fresh flowers on its body again.

Every creature in nature, for whom life is an endless struggle for survival, strives to become as inconspicuous as possible for those who see him as their potential prey. And the more defenseless the object of the desires of ubiquitous predators, the greater the wonders of ingenuity he shows in trying to merge with the environment.

The caterpillar of the butterfly Synchlora aerata from the family of moths is no exception: she tries to disguise herself so that some voracious bird does not even think that she is a tasty prey in front of her. But unlike her less refined relatives, who pretend to be twigs, pieces of bark or dry leaves, she does it beautifully and with taste.

The caterpillar Synchlora aerata selects the brightest flowers and decorates its body with their petals, using liquid silk as glue. When a floral outfit loses its freshness and attractiveness, she throws it off and "puts on" a new one — bright and fragrant.

The moths got their name due to the peculiar way of movement of their caterpillars. Butterflies, like caterpillars, have a masking color to match the color of foliage or tree bark and are distinguished by a slender body. The wings are very thin, wide, lying flat at rest. Antennae of males are often feathery, females are always thin, bristly. On the underside of the leaves of caterpillar forage plants in mid-summer, butterflies lay eggs, from which young caterpillars emerge and feed until the end of summer.

Caterpillars of moth moths harm plants, forests, fruit orchards.

The caterpillars themselves are small: only 1.5 centimeters.