Scientists estimate that insects have been doing their thing here on Earth for about 480 million years. They’ve outlasted pretty much everything (you know, that whole business with the meteor and the dinosaurs…awkward), and they didn’t do it by staying the same ole bugs that they started out as.
No, insects took a long hard look in the mirror one day and thought to themselves, “You are not a loser! Bottom of the food chain, no more!” So they began to evolve. Some developed poisonous traits, some learned how to make friends with other bugs to develop giant hives of death where they toil all day to make sweet treats under the ever watchful eye of a vindictive queen (too much?), and some took an easier route and learned how to hide with camouflage.
Take a look at some of the latter down below. Use the scroll bar to see if you can spot them!
Camouflage Moth
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This particular moth is found in North America and got its namesake for obvious reasons. Their ability to disguise themselves against any forest backdrop puts even the most intricate guerilla suits to shame.
Brimstone Butterfly
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Found in Europe, North Africa, and Asia, the Brimstone butterfly is actually credited by the majority of scientists as being the original holder of the name “butterfly.”
Flower Mantis
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Found in Southeast Asia, the flower mantis definitely didn’t do as well disguising its name as it does its body. The flower mantis just candidly hangs out on the prettiest flower in the meadow until a bug comes close enough for it to reach out and eat. Maybe you shouldn’t stop and smell the roses after all!
Katydid
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Found on every continent except for Antarctica, there are over 6,400 known species of katydids. They get their name from the sound that emits as they rub their legs together…but whether Katy did or Katy didn’t still remains a mystery.
Geometer Moth
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Often confused with the mean girls of the insect world (butterflies), geometer moth’s are always described as having a slender waist, so…. there’s that. Found worldwide (sans Antarctica), Geometer moth’s spend their days pretending to be twigs or parts of leaves when they’re not trying out the newest diet fads.
Grasshopper
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The grasshopper. When they aren’t trying to band together to bring about the next plague, you can find them outside in your yard taking in the breeze. But don’t get too close, when a grasshopper’s camouflage cover is blown, they flash the underside of their wings as a warning, and scram.
So, now you’ve seen some of the insect world’s best tricks. However, if you’re that guy who never actually sees the hidden picture (I mean, come on, it’s right there), but for some reason still pretends that you do…I hope enjoyed the list anyways. Maybe, you even learned something. At the very least, I know the slide bars helped you kill some time at the office.
YOU’RE WELCOME.