Grand Masters in Camo - Oak Leaf Butterfly
Considered as a marvel of the insect world, is renowned for its vibrant colors and astonishing camouflage capabilities. Indigenous to Tropical Asia. Kallima species thrives from the Indian subcontinent all the way to Japan. Its unique ability to mimic dry, dead leaves not only fascinates observers but also serves as a vital survival strategy in its natural habitat. Here is a small attempt to know what makes it different ?
Vishwanath Radhakrishna
Butterflies are usually known for their distinctive patterns and vibrant colours. A testament to the intrinsic beauty of mother nature.Particularly for this small species of butterfly, disguise is a boon and a saviour. When perched on branches or plants, Kallima , the blue oakleaf usually sits very still, with wings closed.
Dual Personality
When its wings are closed, it looks remarkably like a dry dead leaf with dark veins and only the cryptic underside markings are visible, which comprises of irregular patterns and stripes of constrasting colors and various shades of browns, yellow and black. With its wings opened up, the butterfly is of a totally a different appearance, with the forewing displaying a black apex, an orange disc like band and a deep blue base.
True shade of Colours
Found in tropical forests of the Sahyadris, the blue oakleaf butterfly is named for its two distinct personalities. When the clever camouflage creature decides to spread its wings, we finally get a glimpse of the flamboyant hues of blue that synonymous with its name. The species only reveals its true colours when it spreads its wings to bask in the sunlight, or when in flight.
Identification and reality
A dry leaf in a rainforest trail usually is not so attractive.Unless the leaf suddenly takes flight, soars high in the air, revealing brilliant shades of indigo, orange on its upper surface. In the closed state, this butterfly is very hard to spot. Even experts find it hard after movements to identify the species.
Drama of Nature
Adding to the exquisite camouflage in colour and shape is the blue oakleaf’s ability to trick not just humans, but predators of the wild as well. To escape from attack the butterfly will simply choose a perch where its leaf-like underside will not be visible — like the bark of a tree or a hump of dead leaves. It wings even sways in the breeze like a dried leaf. Perfectly blending into the background.It is unseen to its predators on prowl even in daytime.
Butterflies relatively having simple body structure and wings help the creature to perform complex multiple functions.The unique flapping pattern, efficient use of air currents,thermoregulation, maneuvers,ascent and descent with impressive precision and keeping predators at bay.
All because of its fragile wings.
After researchers sequenced several genomes the entire DNA sequence from the 36 butterflies in genus of Kallima representing, which includes species and sub species.
After a comparison study,of samples from Nymphalidae family.They were able to make out the one gene called cortex which seemed to be responsible for leaf patterns on Kallima wings.
Recent research says that - Leaf wing Poly morphism has been existing in different Kallima species.and varies accordingly in phenotype frequencies.
Phenotype is a observed chaaracteristic and subject to vary accrdingly to color and size
However,the scientists are yet to know the influence of plant life on the wing pattern. habitat linked to the diverse eco system. Time is not far we unravel the mysteries of nature, and have answers for all !
