Butterflies in Taiwan

不像蝴蝶的弄蝶

這張生態圖裡的蝴蝶是大綠弄蝶，身體圓嘟嘟，又多毛，常被誤以為是蛾類。其實，弄蝶科的蝴蝶屬於小至中型蝴蝶，外觀和長相介於蝴蝶和蛾之間；而且觸角未端彎曲呈鉤狀，不同於其他類的蝴蝶。
大綠弄蝶下翅尾端有橙紅斑點，為什麼長得有點像頭部，而且更寬闊明顯呢？
解說：演化產生的尾部斑點，使得天敵以為是頭部，遭到襲擊時，可以讓弄蝶有時間逃跑！

The butterfly in this illustration is an Indian awlking (Choaspes benjaminii); due to its plump and hairy appearance, it’s easily mistaken for a moth. What readily distinguishes it from a moth is the curve at the end of its antennae.

The Indian awlking has orange-red spots on the posterior section of its hindwings, which have the appearance of a head. What for?

Answer: Having a false head on the posterior section of its hindwings confuses predators, thereby increasing the butterfly’s chances of escaping.