For the identification of insects and other fauna and flora of South Africa.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Art of disguise - Part 1

When I first started blogging I did a series on how cleverly insects disguise themselves and I am going to post them again as most of you never saw it.

Look at the first picture and see if you can spot the insect in it before looking at the second. :)
This caterpillar mimics the branch he is on perfectly even down to the lumps, bumps and notches. He is holding onto it with his feet. If you look at the bottom left hand corner, that is his eyes and he has a couple of hairs on his face.

30 comments:

Becky said...

Wow, I never would have spotted it! Not sure I see it in the 2nd picture either. Great test of our observation. That's why YOU are the Bug Lady!
Have a wonderful week-end.
B.

Diane AZ said...

Remarkable, I can't tell where the caterpillar ends and the branch begins!

Firefly the Travel Guy said...

Even with you pointing it out, I can barely see it. I have no idea how you spotted it.

Andrea said...

I see it because you write it's there...
They are unbelieveble...
Nature is Great!

Storyheart said...

That's amazing! You must have good eyes!

Gaelyn said...

I sure didn't see that coming. I looked at something else entirely. This time I'm sure you've been painting eyes on the branches Joan. LOL.

FAB said...

Just goes to show what is out there if you look close enough. Well spotted Joan.

Craig Glenn said...

Wow, from claymation to sticks... what will you think of next!

Really cool bug Joan!

Craig

Anonymous said...

That is really cool. I couldn't find it in the first at all and even in the second it is hard to see... Michelle

Craver Vii said...

Freaky! "Look Ma; I'm a twig!" I'll bet that little guy has a room full of first place ribbons and trophies for hide-n-seek!

Good eyes, Bug Lady!

Wendy said...

Amazing! I could not find the bug in the picture until you pointed it out. And even then it was still hard to see :P

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Becky. Finding these insects insects are always thrilling to me because they are so difficult to spot.

I hope you had a good weekend too.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Hello Diane. I find it remarkable that nature has provided these insects wich such a perfect disguise.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Hello Jonker. I guess I am just lucky that my eyes have grown accustomed to finding these things. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Andrea. I find it so exciting when I find one. It is like getting a Christmas present. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks for visiting and commenting Dapper-T. It is just because I have been looking for insects for such a long time that my eyes can pick these up easily. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

It is one of my claymations again Gaelyn. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Frank. SOmetimes these are under our very noses and if they do not move, they go unnoticed.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

I am just getting too good Craig and I have to change my style to something more sophisticated. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

It sure is not an easy one Michelle. :) I wonder how many things like this I walk past and NOT notice?

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

LOL!! I guess if one has to disguise themself as anything, it may as well be a twig seening that there are so many around. :) Thank Craver.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Leeloo. Another instance of nature at her best.

Anonymous said...

This is truely amazing! It really is hard to tell where the caterpillar attaches to the branch, its so seamless. You have a great eye for those bugs! How much fun!

Unknown said...

Wow, Joan - that is UNREAL!

Even after you told me which part was the caterpillar... I still can't really 'see' it. Looks like a branch to me!

I LOVE seeing all of your bug photos and at the same time I am THRILLED that we don't have any of them here. LOL all of our bugs look like bugs!

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Stacey. These are amazing finds.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Hello Penny, This is one of the best disguises I have seen. I am willing to bet you have something like this there too but never noticed. LOL!!

Unknown said...

I am willing to bet you have something like this there too but never noticed. LOL

LOL! That's one of the funniest things I've heard in a long time! Haha... very good point Joan! LOL!

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

LOL!! Sorry Penny, I know that before I started with this kind of photography I did not notice them either. :)

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Joan: That is amazing.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Tom. It was an interesting find.