Wannabes: outdoing wolves and sheep

The adult Wasp-mimicking Assassin Bug could not be more different from the juvenile. Shedding its dead ant cloak, the adult adopts the likeness of yellow-black wasps (hence the common name). The adults now switch food dietary preferences and hunt down wasps. This species is known only from the ASEAN region from Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

This species drifts about near the seafloor with head pointing downwards and seems to mimic mangrove shoots or sea pens. This species was first discovered in Singapore and was first illustrated by John Edward Gray in 1830. Apart from its curious appearance, it does not appear to be eaten nor valued as an aquarium fish. Outside of the ASEAN region the species is found in Australia, India, Papua New Guinea and Sri Lanka. Within ASEAN, it is found in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore.

Big-eyed Mountain Keelback
Pseudoxenodon macrops (Blyth, 1855)

Sometimes called the “false cobra”, this species also has a hood and has a habit of rearing up its head. The exact function of this cobra mimicry is not known. It is also thought that this resemblance backfires when pitted against humans as they simply kill them thinking that it is a cobra. Though venomous, it is thought to be harmless to humans.

Researchers have also found that it is able to feign death when threatened, which is perhaps a more effective defence against humans. Outside of the ASEAN region this species is found in Bhutan, China and India. Within the ASEAN region it is found in Laos, Peninsular Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

Bluebottle
Physalia utriculus (La Martinière, 1787)

Species of the genus Physalia superficially resemble jellyfish but are not closely-related. They are also colonial animals, with distinct specialised animals (called “polyps”) playing different roles. For example, a gas-filled polyp forms the float. The Bluebottle is the Indo-Pacific sibling of the better-known Portuguese Man O’ War. This species is found throughout the Indo-West Pacific. In the ASEAN region, it is known with certainty from Thailand.

Red Winged Green Giant Stick Insect
Eurycnema versirubra Serville 1838

Stick insects have adapted to resemble twigs in order to avoid predation. The shape, colour and behaviour of the Red Winged Green Giant Stick Insect all play a part in this masquerade. This species has long been bred in captivity in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. Fed on guava leaves, their droppings (“frass”) were used to make a sort of tea that was prescribed for a wide range of ailments.

Scientists have found that this species does not absorb vitamin E from its diet and its frass are therefore rich in the substance. Perhaps this explains some of its perceived therapeutic qualities. The world authority on these animals found that this species is not native to Peninsular Malaysia or Singapore but was imported from Timor. Ironically, the locals there consider them to be highly poisonous and kill them on sight. This species is found in the ASEAN countries of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, where it has been introduced from Timor.

Painted Mock Viper
Psammodynastes pictus Günther, 1858

Like the Big-eyed Mountain Keelback, this species also mimics species of the viper family which are far more venomous. The mimicry also encompasses both the superficial appearance and its behaviour—all the hallmarks of a wannabe. This species is considered to be harmless to humans.

It inhabits shallow streams and swamp forests. It feeds on small fish, frogs and freshwater prawns. This species is only found in the ASEAN region, from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

Zebra Flat-backed Millipede
Enghoffosoma zebra Likhitrakarn, Golovatch & Panha, 2014

This species of millipede has a body colouration that is similar to that of a zebra’s.

Perhaps like a zebra, this colouration pattern plays a role in helping to break up the profile of the animal as a form of camouflage.

This species can be found in deciduous and mixed forests. It is widely distributed from the lower part of north-eastern Thailand to the south of Laos. Nothing else is known of its biology.