Strange camouflage style of dragonflies

Species often disguise themselves in motionless state: chameleon change color to blend into the surrounding environment, spots help keep hidden in bushes. However, according to a study by Australian scientists, dragonflies use their movements to camouflage .

(Photo: glennbartley) This phenomenon is strange because the movement itself often makes predators exposed. The reason is when an image fluttering through the cell is sensitive to light in the retina, the alarm response takes place and is transferred to the prey's brain.

Dragonflies cast shadows on its target so precisely that they always appear as a fixed point in the prey's retina. In fact it is still moving. Since there is no fluttering image in the prey retinal cells, there is no alarm response. The prey sees the dragonfly as a stationary object and therefore not a threat.

The study was conducted by Akiko Mizutani of the Center for Visual Science, Australian National University. His team used stereoscopic cameras to reconstruct three-dimensional motion in 15 male dragonfly flights. They are fighting to seize territory.

The results showed that a male dragonfly, fighting a different kind of air in the air, adjusted its flight so that it seemed to be immobile to the enemy. This is evidence of motion camouflage.

The team now wants to find a mechanism to plot and execute such sneaky raids of dragonflies. They hope there is a simple rule that dragonflies follow. However, it will be interesting if it is a complex mechanism.