This moth makes no sense

This bright pink moth should be easy for predators to spot, yet the rosy maple moth remains surprisingly successful. Could its bizarre colours actually be camouflage, or is something stranger going on? In this video, we explore the evolutionary mystery of the rosy maple moth (Dryocampa rubicunda), looking at camouflage, warning colours, mimicry, predator vision, and the surprising lack of research surrounding one of North America's most distinctive insects. #evolution #biology #science #insects #moths REFERENCES Missouri Department of Conservation [Accessed: April, 2026]: https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/fi.... Sargent (1995): https://images.peabody.yale.edu/lepso... LINKS On the Origin of Species: https://amzn.to/4voyrDp The Outsider (Penguin Modern Classics): https://amzn.to/42NWNt2 Biology’s First Law: https://amzn.to/4uoBABM What’s It Like to be a Bat?: https://amzn.to/3PfSOmb As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. IMAGE CREDITS Eyespot butterflies, from nhm.ac.uk: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/why-do... Other images: https://science.oregonstate.edu/IMPAC... Three Spot Grass Yellow butterfly - Khew SK, via https://butterflycircle.blogspot.com/... Monarch butterfly - Claire Hassler, via https://www.fws.gov/media/monarch-but... UV vs visible light butterfly: https://thecolorstheysee.blogspot.com... Industrial melanism peppered moths: https://www.britannica.com/animal/pep... Space marine:   / pink_space_marine_for_a_kill_team_im_worki...   Rosy maple moths on maple samaras: https://photocontest.smithsonianmag.c... https://jimmccormac.blogspot.com/2019... Range map, and photos: https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/s... Greenstriped mapleworms: https://www.southcarolinapublicradio.... https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/s... MUSIC from Endemic Sound A Green Embrace - Rand Aldo Go to the Forest - Daniel Fridell Debussy - Suite Bergamasque, CD 82 III. Clair de lune - Mira Ma Vivaldi - The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in G Minor, Op. 8 No. 2, RV 315 Summer III. Presto - Michelle Ross 0:00 - Intro 0:39 - Camouflage? 1:54 - Defensive mimicry? 4:47 - Finding a clue 6:08 - Conclusions 7:35 - Outro