Mimetic species look like another object to protect themselves from predators.
Top Row – Kallima
Known as the Oakleaf butterfly, as it takes the colour of an Oaktree so becomes incredibly difficult for birds to catch them. There are around 8-10 species known due to them being camouflage it can be difficult to capture them. Kallima Inachus is the species I’m interested in as the patterns vary from different butterflies, especially in the dry season. With little sunlight in the rainforest, they normally hold their wings half-open, resting on trees or on the floor next to leaf litter.
Middle row – Symbiotic Lichen
It is between fungus and algae, using carbon as its food source. Lichen is grown amongst branches of trees/plants but can also live on the ground in the right conditions. I find Lichen to be very interesting as there are many shapes, some being quite flat whilst others are hair-like. Creating little pockets of detail on the trees. The colours are vivid greens and oranges depending on the type of lichen creating very abstract photographs.
Bottom Row – Phylliidae
Is also a very camouflaged animal, being a walking leaf insects they’re normally green. With females being larger than males, males have small forewings. Their lives are based on leaves, giving them coverage, protection and a place for their young to feed to become strong. Using leaf mimicry as a defence to protect from predators but also using sounds to ward off predators by rubbing tubercles together.
