Deadly camouflage, color magic, how "cunning" are the insects in the rainforest?

In the remote and mysterious tropical rainforest, nature displays the miracle of life in its most magnificent form. This place is not only a treasure house of species diversity on Earth, but also a stage for insect artists to display their talents. Today, let us step into this green world together and uncover the secrets of rainforest insects that amaze the world with their unique beauty.

Orchid mantis: master of disguise, deadly temptation

Imagine walking along a quiet path in the rainforest and being attracted by an orchid. When you get closer, you realize that it is a master of camouflage, waiting for its prey - the orchid mantis. They use the leaf-like structures evolved from their middle and hind legs to perfectly blend into the surrounding environment, becoming the most sophisticated trap in nature. From white to pink, to green and brown, the orchid mantis changes color like a chameleon, making it difficult for every insect passing by to escape its carefully arranged "soul under the flower".

The golden green shield bug: a magician of color and a master of invisibility

In the family of stink bugs, the golden-green broad-shielded bug is undoubtedly a dazzling star. They wear golden-green battle robes, and their small shields are like gorgeous cloaks, covering most of their abdomens, showing a gorgeous posture that is not inferior to beetles. This bright dress is not only a magic weapon for them to hide in the rainforest, but also a warning to their natural enemies to think twice before acting. Every time they shed their skin, the golden-green broad-shielded bug is a gorgeous transformation into an adult dress, which makes people marvel at the ingenuity of nature.

Swallowtail butterfly: aerial dancer, the secret of transparent wing window

The rainforest is a paradise for butterflies, and swallowtail butterflies are the most elegant dancers in this paradise. They are black and white, with transparent wing windows inlaid on their front wings, like the brightest stars in the night sky. These wing windows are not only beautiful, but also the crystallization of the swallowtail butterflies' wisdom to protect themselves. When natural enemies approach, the wing windows can cleverly blend into the background, making the swallowtail butterflies disappear like ghosts. Male swallowtail butterflies are even more keen to draw water from the waterside to replenish the minerals lost after mating. These vivid scenes constitute the most heartwarming picture in the rainforest.

Golden Tiger: King of Speed, Lightning on the Sand

When the scorching sun scorches the earth and most insects choose to hide, the golden tiger beetle gallops on the dry sand with its amazing speed. As the speed champion among terrestrial insects, they have large mandibles and excellent vision, making every hunt accurate. However, speed also comes with a price - temporary blindness after running makes the tiger beetle a "roadblock" in the rainforest. This unique physiological phenomenon is a reflection of the tiger beetle's wisdom in surviving in extreme environments.

In this vibrant tropical rainforest, every insect is a masterpiece of nature, and they interpret the beauty of life in their own way. From masters of camouflage to color magicians, from aerial dancers to speed kings, insects use their tiny but powerful bodies to paint a series of colorful ecological paintings. Let us continue to explore this mysterious and beautiful rainforest world with awe!

Author: Tropical Insect Traces

Reviewer: Yin Haisheng, researcher-level senior engineer at Shanghai Insect Museum, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Produced by: China Association for Science and Technology Department of Science Popularization

Producer: China Science and Technology Press Co., Ltd., Beijing Zhongke Xinghe Culture Media Co., Ltd.