Monday, April 13, 2015

Going to ground, part two

Goatweed leafwing butterflies may not be as bright and conspicuous as many other butterflies are, but they do not look much like leaves either.

A goatweed leafwing (Anaea andria) perched on a branch.
At least, they are not very convincing as leaves when they are sitting in trees (which they often are).

A goatweed leafwing butterfly hanging upside-down from a branch.
It is a completely different matter, however, when the goatweed leafwing sits underneath a tree in the leaf litter.  There, it becomes very difficult to distinguish from the surrounding leaves.  To see how well-camouflaged the goatweed leafwing can be, try finding it in the three pictures below!

Can you find the goatweed leafwing?
I promise, there really is a butterfly in each of these pictures.

The butterfly moved.  It might be slightly easier to find this time.
When I was taking the pictures, I had the advantage of seeing the butterfly land and then walk around.

The butterfly moved again.  It should be easiest (but maybe still not easy) to see in this picture.
To see the butterfly locations revealed, go here.  I've edited the photos to make the butterfly pop out from the background.

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