This is not a leaf. Video of Orange Oakleaf butterfly has over 1 million views. Here's why

Kallima inachus, also known as the Orange Oakleaf, is a butterfly found in Tropical Asia (from India to Japan). (Image credit: @PictureThisAI/Twitter)

The first few seconds are no indication to why the video of a dry leaf lying on the ground in the shade could rake up more than a million views. It's only after a hand hesitantly pulls it into the sun after the 10th second, do viewers realise that it was no dry leaf, it was a butterfly.

Kallima inachus, also known as the Orange Oakleaf, is a butterfly found in Tropical Asia (from India to Japan) and is famous for its ability to camouflage and easily pretend to be... a dry leaf.

Twitter user Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) who shared the video wrote that with wings closed, the Orange Oakleaf closely resembles a dry leaf with dark veins and is a spectacular and commonly cited example of camouflage.

Kallima inachus, the orange oakleaf, is a butterfly found in Tropical Asia. With wings closed, it closely resembles a dry leaf with dark veins and is a spectacular and commonly cited example of camouflage https://t.co/Gni6zCMGpn [source of the gif: https://t.co/RSSUeIGwJx] pic.twitter.com/fiooNzm2hZ

— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) August 21, 2022

Researchers have recently found that a gene called cortex is responsible for their camouflage, shedding more light on how the masters of disguise evolved.

Read more: In Pics | Monarch butterflies are now officially endangered

Probably the most famous example of camouflage.

With its wings closed, Kallima Inachus closely resembles a dry leaf with dark veins.

[read more: https://t.co/Gni6zCv5xP]
[: https://t.co/FVzVrGxT8Q]pic.twitter.com/WZ6tm3IGM2

Story continues below Advertisement

Remove Ad

— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) July 26, 2022

“Because these wings are structurally simple but functionally complex, I think butterfly wings are the ideal system to address multiple evolutionary questions."

Read more: Metro car shed in Aarey threatens not just leopards, but wide range of animals, warn activists