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Science 15 February 1980:
Vol. 207. no. 4432, pp. 773 - 775
DOI: 10.1126/science.207.4432.773
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Articles

Camouflage by Integumentary Wetting in Bark Bugs

ROBERT SILBERGLIED 1 and ANNETTE AIELLO 1

1 Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Box 2072, Balboa, Panamá

Unlike most insect integuments, the body surfaces of certain bark-inhabiting bugs are wettable. A thin film of water reduces the reflectivity of the insect, resulting in a close match with the wettable bark upon which it rests. Wettability probably aids in concealing the insects from predators.

Submitted on October 9, 1979
Revised on November 30, 1979

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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)