Masters of Disguise: Camouflage in the Insect World
Vinayak Madarakhandi*
Dept. of Entomology, College of Agriculture, UAS, Dharwad, Karnataka (580 005), India
Santhrupthi B.
Dept. of Entomology, College of Agriculture, UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru, Karnataka (560 065), India
Pampareddy
Dept. of Entomology, College of Agriculture, UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru, Karnataka (560 065), India
Kaveri Aramani
Dept. of Sericulture, College of Agriculture, UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru, Karnataka (560 065), India
Tejaswini A.S.
Dept. of Sericulture, College of Agriculture, UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru, Karnataka (560 065), India
Akash B. Roogi
Dept. of Entomology, College of Agriculture, UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru, Karnataka (560 065), India
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54083/BRT/7.8.2025/231-233
Keywords: Camouflage, Defensive strategies, Disguise, Mimicry
Abstract
Insects are the most remarkable examples of evolutionary adaptation, with camouflage and disguise which are serving as a key strategy for their survival. Camouflage will be the necessary behaviour and survival strategy for many soft bodied, solitary insects in which insects show cryptic colouration. In contrast, the disguise involves adopting the form of another natural object, such as a leaf, flower or even bird droppings. These adaptive strategies can be seen in stick and leaf insects, grasshoppers, praying mantids, moths and butterflies. The Hawaiian “bone collector” caterpillar shows an unusual camouflage that incorporates remains of prey as a case representing a crucial primary defense mechanism. Other than that, camouflage also supports predatory insects in ambushing unsuspecting victims, thereby contributing to ecological balance. This article mainly focusing on the diversity and significance of insect camouflage and highlights the form, function and survival of the insects by using camouflage as a tool.
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