Question

Resemblance of Phyllium to a dicot leaf is
A. Variation
B. Adaptation radiation
C. Mimicry
D. Genetic drift

Answer 1

Hint: Insects belong to the group arthropods, they have a tough cytoskeleton body. The insects are classified based on their habitat and features like the leaf insects and stick insects. They resemble themselves as the leaf or the twigs to save themselves from insect eating animals.

Complete Answer:
- The leaf insect like Phasmatodea shows extreme forms of crypsis by camouflaging as a leaves of plants through various forms of twigs imitating and elongated and slender bodies. But true leaf insects like Phyllium show leaf mimics by forming lobe-like expansion on the entire body and legs, they form dorso-ventrally flattened body.
- The leaf insects feed on plants and are found in vegetated areas. Leaf mimicry often is developed in leaf insects based on their wings and legs closely resembles the leaf shape and colour.
- For example; female elytra resembles the vein pattern. Some species even embellish themselves with the spots and marking of damage that includes the holes. Nymphs mimic the movement of leaves in the wind.
- The leaf insects mimic the plant leaves as a defence against the predators. Therefore, the resemblance of Phyllium to a dicot leaf is mimicry that they adapt to save themselves from the predators.

Thus, the correct option is ‘C’. Mimicry.

Note: Just like the leaf insect, the stick insects are also found like walking sticks. This insect is brown or green in colour and mimics the resemblance of twigs as a defence process. They have the ability to regenerate the antennae and legs.