Peruvian grasshopper
Acrid chemicals in the body of this Peruvian grasshopper (Aplatacris colorata) act as a defence against insect-eating predators. The grasshopper’s vivid pattern of warning colours advertises the fact that it has a noxious taste and, since most of its enemies are birds that hunt by sight, the warning is very effective. Any bird that tries to eat one of these grasshoppers is unlikely to make the same mistake twice. The concentrated toxins in the insect’s body are made from chemicals in its food plants. Photograph: Thomas Marent/2009 Dorling Kindersley Limited. via guardian uk
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