Found throughout the cloud forests of Southeast Asia, the walking flower mantis uses a phenomenon known as 'aggressive mimicry' to lure in pollinating insects, by mimicking the appearance of orchids that are found elsewhere in their shared habitat.
There is no one particular orchid that the flower mantis resembles. Instead their odd appearance and colouring gives off the vague suggestion of a orchid, a tactic likely used to draw in as wide a variety of pollinators as possible.
This type of mimicry inevitably creates a feedback loop known as an 'evolutionary arms race'. Whereby the mimic and mimicked are intertwined in a state of continuous competition in a bid to 'out-evolve' one another.
On the outside ecosystems like these may seem harmonious. When in actuality, just below the surface there is an undercurrent of dissonance. A fight for survival, ever-shifting the equilibriums of these worlds.
There is no one particular orchid that the flower mantis resembles. Instead their odd appearance and colouring gives off the vague suggestion of a orchid, a tactic likely used to draw in as wide a variety of pollinators as possible.
This type of mimicry inevitably creates a feedback loop known as an 'evolutionary arms race'. Whereby the mimic and mimicked are intertwined in a state of continuous competition in a bid to 'out-evolve' one another.
On the outside ecosystems like these may seem harmonious. When in actuality, just below the surface there is an undercurrent of dissonance. A fight for survival, ever-shifting the equilibriums of these worlds.
Helter Skelter · Persimmon
Helter Skelter · Alpine
Helter Skelter · Smog
Helter Skelter · Concept Art
Helter Skelter · WIP Art