Here's something I thought about at the time and now once again looking at this beautiful bug - aren't the wing patterns (the red with the dotted/speckled b&w) kind of reminiscent of the lantern fly? I know that stick insects and flies (?) are not really that related (though both insects?), but I am curious about this likeness... maybe this is a pattern that comes up a lot? You tell me!!!
This is actually a great q and while they are not closely related, the red underwings on these stick insects and on the lanternflies serve the same purpose! That bright, sudden flash of red is a predator deterrent--it’s meant to startle anything trying to mess with them long enough to get a predator to flinch or jerk away and allow them to escape. And any brightly colored body part is usually bug shorthand for “I taste bad” and/or “I am poisonous, so don’t eat me.” Pls google Marmessoidea rosea if u want to see some really stunning stick insect wings.
Here's something I thought about at the time and now once again looking at this beautiful bug - aren't the wing patterns (the red with the dotted/speckled b&w) kind of reminiscent of the lantern fly? I know that stick insects and flies (?) are not really that related (though both insects?), but I am curious about this likeness... maybe this is a pattern that comes up a lot? You tell me!!!
This is actually a great q and while they are not closely related, the red underwings on these stick insects and on the lanternflies serve the same purpose! That bright, sudden flash of red is a predator deterrent--it’s meant to startle anything trying to mess with them long enough to get a predator to flinch or jerk away and allow them to escape. And any brightly colored body part is usually bug shorthand for “I taste bad” and/or “I am poisonous, so don’t eat me.” Pls google Marmessoidea rosea if u want to see some really stunning stick insect wings.
Same question came to mind on seeing those wings!
Well done, well done. Love stick insects, beautiful eyes or not.
Speaking of Criterion Channel, would love to hear (read) your thoughts on Green Porno, the Isabella Rossellini series on bug mating patterns!