St Andrews researchers find Viadana brunneri katydids use leaf camouflage for mate selection

Researchers from the University of St Andrews have identified a dual function for leaf-like camouflage in the tropical katydid species *Viadana brunneri*. A study published in the journal *Proceedings of the Royal Society B* indicates that these insects utilize their physical resemblance to foliage not only to evade predators but also to increase their appeal to potential mates. The findings suggest that survival adaptations and sexually selected traits can function in tandem rather than in opposition.

The research team observed that male katydids possess wing patterns that mimic the appearance of leaves, a trait traditionally associated with avoiding detection by predators. However, the study reveals that females of the species show a preference for males whose wing patterns more closely resemble high-quality, undamaged leaves. By displaying these specific patterns, males signal their physical condition to females, effectively integrating a defensive mechanism into their reproductive strategy. This evidence challenges previous biological assumptions that traits evolved for survival necessarily hinder the development of traits evolved for sexual attraction.

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Date: June 3, 2026

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GOAI