The Philippine leaf insect is a master of disguise, perfectly shaped and coloured to look just like a leaf. Its body is flat and leaf-green, often complete with leaf-like veins and even “bite marks” along the edges to fool predators. These gentle insects spend their lives among the trees and shrubs, feeding on leaves while staying almost invisible to birds and other animals that might want to eat them. Even when they walk, they often sway from side to side like a leaf moving in the breeze. Females can grow up to 10 cm long and are usually larger than the males. This incredible camouflage makes the Philippine leaf insect one of the rainforest’s most amazing examples of mimicry. You can find them near the entrance to the Lowland Glasshouse.

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