#termites

This is THE coolest example of mimicry I think I've seen!

This newly-described beetle, Austrospirachtha carrijoi, has basically grown an entire termite disguise out of its abdomen. Native to Australia's Northern Territory, it lives its entire life in termite mounds. The termites can't see it, but they use touch to identify each other, and the termite-shaped growth is close enough to fool the real deal. They then feed the beetle just as they would their own kind. (This is a more placid strategy than the beetle's cousins, which infiltrate ant colonies and eat their larvae.)

Imagine how many generations it took for a random mutation in a beetle's abdomen to turn into this complex configuration. There's a very good chance the beetle can also mimic the scent of termites, adding to the ruse. And then consider this isn't likely to be the first time this sort of mimicry has evolved, given that social termites first appeared about 100 million years ago. Every time I think nature can't get any weirder and more wonderful, I read about something like this and my fascination with the world around me just amps up more.

did you really think I was done with roaches??? wrong!!!!!!! get roach'd!!!!!!!!!