Beware – there are mischief makers in our midst! While April Fool’s Day is our one chance of the year to stir up some (lighthearted) trouble, the creatures of this list never take a day off from their scandalous behavior. Their disguises are convincing, but try not to be fooled by these common garden tricksters.
Limenitis archippus, Viceroy butterfly, feeding on a flower
Devious Viceroys
Viceroy Butterflies are guilty of the crime of identity theft. They present markings that look almost identical to the Monarch butterfly. Because Monarchs have a reputation in the bug world for tasting nasty, looking like one helps the Viceroy avoid being eaten. You could say that this butterfly is piggy backing off of its regal counterpart’s good looks. The fiend!
Black Widow Wannabes
Just hearing the name “Black Widow” will send most running for the Raid, and a quick glance at the False Black Widow will no doubt illicit a similar reaction. With their spindly legs and bulbous abdomen, the False Widow does bear a striking resemblance. The good news is that while the False Black Widow looks enough like the original to give people the heebie jeebies, there are some very clear differences in coloring between the species, and the false widow’s bite is not deadly. The bad news is that their bite is still extremely painful, so they should be handled with caution. The False Black Widow loves to make its home in gardens, so keep your eyes peeled for this little lady. False or not, she demands respect!
King Snake Con-artist
“Red on black, friend of Jack; red on yellow – kill a fellow!”
We all know the old cautionary rhyme, and while it may seem silly to adults, this little device can save your life. By mimicking the Coral snake’s color pattern, King snakes get all the rewards of looking like its deadly doppelganger without any of the work. The Coral snake is a feared serpent for good reason as its venom is lethal and their colors are a bright reminder of this fact. King snakes, on the other hand, are neither aggressive nor venomous. A King snake might look tough, but check its colors before you call its bluff!
Misleading Mantis
These especially nefarious insects have mastered the art of deception by mimicking the exact colors and patterns of a flower. First they find the perfect blossom and wait patiently for their next meal to bumble into their trap. This kind of trickery is known as aggressive camouflage and it fools both predators and prey making this mantis a natural assassin. While tending your orchids, make sure to watch where you’re pruning. You’d hate to disturb this mantis’ dinner!
Moth Imposter
When a faint buzz of wings and a streak of color flash about your garden you may think “Yay! Hummingbirds!” But before you refill your feeders, look again – it could be a moth! Hummingbird Moths are aptly named as they look very much like actual hummingbirds. They fly the same way, drink nectar the same way, and even sound the same when they hum. Talk about a case of mistaken identity! They may be good pollinators, but shame on them for fooling bird-lovers into feeding these opportunistic bugs.