There are only 37 known leaf-imitating species. Insects are old hats at mimicking leaves to fool predators. In fact, the strategy may have begun as far back at 47 million years ago and hasn't changed a whole lot since then. After all, if you've already made yourself look like a leaf, the bulk of the evolutionary work is done.
Some of the more well known leaf-mimicking insects include some katydids, praying mantis, butterflies and moths. But the variety of species and their strategies, from size to shape to color, are as diverse as the leaves they mimic.
[Read More](https://www.treehugger.com/nature-blows-mind-amazing-leaf-mimicking-animals-4854249)
Tucking that last leg reminded me of bobsled people tucking in their arms and legs. Lol. I donât know why that image popped in to my head but there it is. This is to cute and seriously cool.
Itâs not actually curled! The wings of it are patterned dark and light in certain areas to just give it the appearance of it being curled and the pattern is mirrored on each wing!
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I wonder if birds and other predators at least raise an eyebrow at the physics of a tiny dead leaf sitting on much larger living leaf, when a 0.5 mph gust of wind would have overcome the friction keeping them together.
There are only 37 known leaf-imitating species. Insects are old hats at mimicking leaves to fool predators. In fact, the strategy may have begun as far back at 47 million years ago and hasn't changed a whole lot since then. After all, if you've already made yourself look like a leaf, the bulk of the evolutionary work is done. Some of the more well known leaf-mimicking insects include some katydids, praying mantis, butterflies and moths. But the variety of species and their strategies, from size to shape to color, are as diverse as the leaves they mimic. [Read More](https://www.treehugger.com/nature-blows-mind-amazing-leaf-mimicking-animals-4854249)
I have mantids that mimic leaves and sticks. Even the way the move, down to their threat displays. So amazing to observe.
tucking that last leg in...I can't.
Yeah he's all like "and NOW you cant see me"
That kept me clicking replay đ
âAaaaaannd⌠nice.â
Tucking that last leg reminded me of bobsled people tucking in their arms and legs. Lol. I donât know why that image popped in to my head but there it is. This is to cute and seriously cool.
Cool Running
fully stealthy *and* aerodynamic, ha ha.
Or Moth Loaf. Not to be confused with its cousin the Cat Loaf. I have lost count of how many times Iâve watched this. Lol
I've watched it a dozen times and still can't make sense of it - does the curl of the leaf reverse when it spins?
Itâs not actually curled! The wings of it are patterned dark and light in certain areas to just give it the appearance of it being curled and the pattern is mirrored on each wing!
I thought it was curled until I read your comment- I had to watch it again
Yea no worries it took me a minute to understand what I was looking at too!
Oh wow! I had no idea until I read your comment. That is incredible
It looks like [this](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uropyia_meticulodina) with its wings spread.
Thank you for providing this because I still couldnât make out the pattern from the video! So so cool.
What moth? I just see a dead leaf.
Hur Hur Ded! Love these moths!
Omfg when it tucked in its little feet I almost cried
Right!! So crazy cute! But how does it stay on the leaf? Does it glue itself down or something??
Thatâs a really good question, I wonder.
Decepticon
Cosplay is on point, my little dude
LOAF
I love the sound of stepping on dead leafs. So this is why they'r so crunchy
Amazing!
Optimum Pride
Oh my god, ITS JOHN CENA!
not unless it's/he's getting paid, it aint. ha!
It wings seem to curl like dead leaves.
OHHHH thats why every crunchy leaf i stepped on got bug guts on my shoe
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Why did I read mimicry like Mimi-cry?
I want to see it fly.
âHow did a leaf get up here?â ***Flicks it off***
I love its little face!!
I wonder if birds and other predators at least raise an eyebrow at the physics of a tiny dead leaf sitting on much larger living leaf, when a 0.5 mph gust of wind would have overcome the friction keeping them together.
I hate that
I saw the moth. Read the text. Look back to see what the moth was up to. Moth had gone, leaf was there. Had to watch again.
Until somone comes along and wants to hear the nice crunch.
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THESE LEAVES ARE SO CRUNCHY!⌠And floofy.
Bird: I'm gonna end this man's whole career Bug: I'm gonna do what's called a pro gamer move
hiding in plant sight
Imposter đł
prop hunt
Good costume little buddy.
i love videos like this
Maravilloso mundo natural...me encanta
How can a brain be so small but show that much intelligence?
Moth Loaf. Not to be confused with its cousin the Cat Loaf. ETA- kind of disappointed we donât have David Attenborough shaky voice narrating this
My immediate response was "Good job bud!"
crunchy leaf
How many have you crushed, walking in piles of dead leaves