PHOTO FEATURE Priya Chaudhary What’s Buggin’ You? Bugs or have the largest biomass on the Earth. They make up to three quarters of the on the planet Earth. Let’s have a look at the world’s most bizarre bugs.

Hummingbird Hawk- Macroglossum stellatarum popularly known as hummingbird hawk-moth is a species of moth found in warmer locations. It feeds on flowers with its proboscis and makes a humming noise thus got its name. Their resemblance to the hum- ming bird is an example of the convergent form of evolution.

Source: Andreas Kay/Flickr.com Snake Caterpillar This is a larva of a moth of the family , scientifically called triptolemus. This larva is the best mimicry artist that Mother Nature can have. It mimics snakes and has similar patches like a snake. It can also attack like the snake if threatened.

34 | Science Reporter | November 2018 Orchid Mantis This species of mantis surely looks like a walking orchid flower. One can easily mistake it for a beautiful pink orchid flower but it’s a flower mantis that mimics beautiful pink orchids to catch its prey. It is found wildly in Indonesia and is called Hymenopus coronatus.

Crafty Caterpillar This caterpillar is so crafty that it decorates itself with colourful flower petals, once the petals dry off it again puts out new petals using silk to protect itself from predators. It is a larva of moth commonly called wavy-lined emerald moth or camouflaged looper (Synchlora aerata).

Compiled by Priya Chaudhary, former Research Source: Hopefoote/Flickr.com Intern, CSIR-NISCAIR, New Delhi

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