EYESPOTS
Eyespots -- the markings on insect wings or bodies that resemble eyes – are a defense strategy that has multiple purposes. One is to make an insect seem larger or scarier. This is actually a form of mimicry.
Imagine that you are a bird looking for a juicy moth to eat. Instead of easy prey, you see the big round eyes of an animal more your size flash by. Or perhaps you are searching for a caterpillar, but instead you see a creature that looks like a snake. Would your hunger or fear prevail?
Another defensive purpose of eyespots is to deflect attacks from the insect’s most vulnerable parts – its head or body. The strike may damage part of the wing, but the insect can still fly.
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What Big Eyes You Have!
Is some big animal hiding behind the tree?
Or in the garden?
Or in the woods?
Beware of Snakes?
Beetles: A Success Story
Beetles are very successful. It has been estimated that about 25% of all animal life-forms are beetles -- perhaps more than 1 million beetle species inhabit the world. One reason may be their hardened wing cases (elytra) that are difficult to penetrate. One may be their variety and adaptability.
The eyespots on some beetle species protect them from predators by making them appear larger and not worth attacking.
The eyespots on some beetle species protect them from predators by making them appear larger and not worth attacking.
Eyespots to Confuse
Eyespots are not always large and scary. Sometimes they fool predators into attacking the edges of a butterfly's wings, causing damage which is not fatal.
Eyespots Can Work!
Although tattered, the Common Buckeye Butterfly pictured below can still fly. Apparently, the bird that attacked it aimed for the eyespots and not the vulnerable head or body.