Hemeroplanes triptolemus, the proud recipient of the esteemed accolade for superior invertebrate mimicry, astounds both ladies and gentlemen with its unparalleled ability to imitate a venomous snake. Originating from the captivating rainforests of the Amazon, this remarkable creature undergoes a metamorphosis, transforming from an unassuming moth in the Sphingidae family to a mesmerizing caterpillar. During its larval stage, the snake mimic caterpillar employs a truly remarkable survival strategy.
Recognizing the necessity for a robust defense mechanism, this caterpillar expands its body and skillfully exposes its underside, flawlessly imitating the appearance of a snake’s head. With its black eyes and even light reflections, this consummate master of disguise successfully evades becoming a delectable morsel for the predators that roam the jungle.
It is quite a challenging task, however. The caterpillar initiates its defensive strategy by propelling itself backwards and contorting its body to reveal concealed hues of yellow, white, and black on its underside. Subsequently, it inhales air through minuscule openings on its sides, known as spiracles, and directs it towards the front of its body. Once the segments are inflated, the caterpillar undergoes a remarkable transformation, resembling a venomous snake with a distinct diamond-shaped “face” and prominent black eyes.
In the event that the “deadly” (and rather expensive) disguise fails to deter a predator, such as a lizard or a bird, the caterpillar may resort to striking like a snake to further enhance its defensive effect.
While deflection, a strategy that utilizes eyespots to divert the attention of predators away from the head, is a commonly observed behavior in animals, the snake mimic caterpillar takes it a step further by having its false face positioned on the same end as its actual face.
According to Dr. Thomas Hossie, an expert in eyespots, deflection may not be an effective defense mechanism for caterpillars. This is because if any part of the caterpillar’s body is pierced or torn off by an attacker, it is unlikely to survive. Instead, the purpose of this defense mechanism is to intimidate or startle the attacker, causing them to flee rather than risk a potentially fatal encounter with what appears to be a snake.
It is intriguing to note that there exists a moth that, during its mature stage, cleverly disguises itself as a snake. What is even more remarkable is that the energy expenditure required for this type of camouflage is exceptionally high.
However, this particular individual surpasses all other creatures in the animal kingdom by donning the most impressive snake costume imaginable.
