Crypsis mimicry

Identification - Doleschallia bisaltide - Autumn Leaf butterfly.

I chose this butterfly for today's blip after a couple of blippers mentioned 'crypsis' in relation to yesterday's camouflaged moth. Crypsis generally refers to camouflage to surroundings, but it also covers mimicry, the imitation of another species.

Mimicry is quite common in the bug world and can cause a lot of confusion when looking for identifications. There are moths that look like bees and even humming birds, spiders that look like ants, butterflies that look like snakes, flies that look like wasps and the list goes on.

One of the main reasons why a particular mimic is successful is because the mimicked species has its own defense mechanism. Another reason would be to blend in with your prey.

In the case of today's butterfly, the mimicked species is the common tiger, which is a relation of the monarch butterfly. The monarch's defense is the food source of its caterpillars which is milkweed plants. The milkweed is highly toxic to most bugs, but the monarch caterpillar has evolved to absorb these toxins and store them in its body. These toxins are carried forward into the wings and exoskeleton of the butterfly.

When predators attack the butterfly, they immediately let go, once they get a taste of the foul toxins. If they don't stop and consume the butterfly, they will be violently sick and soon learn that the bright orange butterfly is NOT a source of nourishment.

There are several butterflies that also mimic the common tiger. One species that I frequently come across, is the female of the blue moon butterfly. I have to look closely to tell the difference between the three butterflies.

As the name suggests, the Autumn Leaf butterfly has a second crypsis defense. On the flip side of the wings, when the butterfly parks its wings together, there is a very effective impersonation of a dead leaf.

Hope you found the information interesting and maybe it will help you recognize crypsis in your local bug population next time summer comes around.

Dave