This little one isn’t exactly camouflaged, but it tried… note that the wing colors perfectly match the brick and cement of the wall it landed on! Labrador Carpet (Xanthorhoe labradorensis).
(This is observation https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/39529611).
This is Actenodes undulatus, a type of Jewel Beetle. I count myself as lucky to have spotted one – there are only 19 Observations on iNaturalist and I think it is because despite being lightly metallic and of a decent size, the coloration and patterning makes them disappear onto the woods into which they bore. (This one nearly did so into leaf litter.)
edit to add: the Observation
Incidentally, the original observations are here: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/193621773 and here: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/81438411
I found a few more:
Do not question the red circle. What was I thinking at that time? Probably fear that the moth wont be spotted.
What were you thinking? Probably that IDers would identify the tree instead of the moth. And then you’d need to get three other IDers to agree with you, instead of just one. So, good idea.
Far from questioning the red circle, some of us (with eyesight that isn’t what it used to be) thank you for it!
Remaining amongst my beloved arthropods, some more camouflage experts:
Xanthorhoe fluctuata
Agrotis segetum
Acrida ungarica
Acrotylus insubricus
Oedipoda caerulescens
Truxalis nasuta
Interesting that you show both Acrida ungarica and Truxalis nasuta. Do they co-exist somewhere? We have only the latter.
The Acrida ungarica was photographed in central Italy, the Truxalis nasuta in Crete. I believe there is an overlap in the distribution, but I’m not an expert, so don’t take my word as gospel!
Speaking of camouflage and winning…
In general, which strategy offers an organism more protection: great camouflage, or great mimicry? Or is this too full of variables to be considered a worthwhile question to even ask?
An interesting question, but one I’m absolutely not qualified to answer. Could it be a good opening for another thread?
I’ve been trying to find an observation I could post on this thread and finally remembered this moth I found during the summer.
So well-camouflaged it even hid from your memory for a while! (-:
Or this mantis: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/241830338
And, my favourite one so far, the Wide-eyed Flounder:
We have some flounders like that here in Alaska. They’re mostly transparent and live in shallow pools. As soon as they are startled they dive into the sand and disappear from sight. I have yet to get a picture of one.
I would make it a secondary photo, myself
Wow - the Truxalis nasuta and the Wide-eyed Flounder are particularly amazing!
This little Chelydra serpentina (Common Snapping Turtle) was beautifully camouflaged
This dragonfly also:
Boyeria vinosa (Fawn Darner)
There are lots of animals to post here, as most of them are trying to hide :)
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/252580978
And others!
I especially like that cone snail.
