Scientists discover genetics behind how butterflies can disguise themselves as leaves

New evidence has emerged in favour of Darwin contemporary Alfred Russel Wallace’s theory of natural selection in oak leaf butterflies, Andy Gregory reports

When the blue and yellow-topped wings of Kallima butterflies are folded back, they resemble dead leaves (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Scientists are hailing a newfound understanding of how butterflies are able to use their wings to camouflage themselves to look like leaves.

Kallima – also known as “oak leaf” – butterflies are among the most well-known and striking examples of animals which use leaf mimicry to protect themselves from predators.

They do so by flapping their vibrant blue, black and orange wings to reveal dull brown undersides strongly resembling dead, decaying leaves.