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A European Starling taken in South Carolina. Doing a [screm]

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Pheasant Coucal (Centropus phasianinus), EAT A TASTY BUG!!!, family Cuculidae, order Cuculiformes, QLD, Australia

photograph by Andrew Mason

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VIKTOR & ROLF Couture Spring/Summer 2023 (part 2) if you want to support this blog consider donating to: ko-fi.com/fashionrunways

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Wood Grouse aka Western Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), male, family Phasianidae, order Galliformes, Poland

photograph by Paweł Łabaj

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perhaps my best steven universe fanart yet (sound on)

starring this absolute goober of a 3d model

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Most beloved child

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Iberian Worm Lizard (Blanus cinereus), family Blanidae, Andalucia, Spain

Legless lizard.

Photograph by Pedro Verdejo

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Brenthia Moths: these moths can mimic the appearance and mannerisms of a jumping spider so convincingly that actual jumping spiders will sometimes attempt to court them

The markings, posture, and movements of a Brenthia moth (genus Brenthia, also known as a metalmark moth) all contribute to its disguise; the moths move around in short, jerky motions that mimic the movements of a jumping spider, and their hindwings are covered in black-and-white bands that strongly resemble the tucked-in legs of a salticiid spider, especially when the moth displays its unique wing position. The disguise serves as a defensive strategy, enabling the moth to avoid being preyed upon by actual jumping spiders.

In some cases, that disguise may work a little too well, as jumping spiders may actually mistake the moth for a potential mate and then attempt to engage it in a courtship/mating dance (which must be a pretty awkward and bizarre experience for the moth, tbh).

The resemblance between a Brenthia moth and a jumping spider may not seem terribly convincing to us, as human beings, but as this article explains:

When discussing animals mimicking their predator, it is important to remember that we humans are not the target audience. This means that the imitator may not look too convincing in its mimicry to us, but still manages to trigger a desired response from said predator.

Jumping spiders have also been known to respond to Brenthia moths by exhibiting a territorial display, which is yet another behavior that the spiders generally reserve for other spiders.

This study expands on the adaptive benefits of the moth's disguise:

In controlled trials, Brenthia had higher survival rates than other similarly sized moths in the presence of jumping spiders and jumping spiders responded to Brenthia with territorial displays, indicating that Brenthia were sometimes mistaken for jumping spiders, and not recognized as prey.

The illustration below shows the basic/general resemblance between a Brenthia moth and a jumping spider:

Sources & More Info:

New Scientist: Moth's Disguise is so Good, Spiders Love it Instead of Eating it

Animal Behaviour: Sheep in Wolf's Clothing

Science: This Moth Could Pass for a Spider

PLOS ONE Journal: Metalmark Moths Mimic their Jumping Spider Predators

Gil Wizen: Jumping Spider Mimicry in Brenthia Moths

Moths of North Carolina: Brenthia pavonacella

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bro i LOVE indigenous fusion music i love it when indigenous people take traditional practices and language and apply them in new cool ways i love the slow decay and decolonisation of the modern music industry

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I love that story about showing anime shipgirls to the actual crew of the USS Iowa. That feels like a universal sailor trait. Imagine going back in time to show a bunch of Roman sailors an anime girl version of their trireme. They would go nuts for it.

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Help!!!

I took my beloved pet rock, Chumba, out on a walk and took a nap. When I woke up I had not one but two rocks! Can you help me spot the horrible fake rock?

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Spiny Tropical Pill Woodlouse (Calmanesia erinaceus), family Armadillidae, Madagascar

photograph by simon_verlynde