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Grasshopper, Oedipoda, camouflaged on the ground
The grasshopper Oedipoda germanica camouflaged on the ground. This insect relies on its mottled brown body colour to conceal it among its dry environment. This is called cryptic colouration. The behaviour of Oedipoda germanica is also to remain quite still. If it is disturbed, it jumps up to reveal red hindwings (see Z305/103) which gives a frightening effect known as flash colour- ation. This sudden red colour disappears when the grasshopper lands and becomes camouflaged again. Any predator which may have disturbed Oedipoda would be left looking for a red colour which can no longer be found.
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