More than any other group of animals, insects are masters of 'aposematism' - they use bright colouration to warn birds that they are poisonous.
Asked by: Nigel Evans, York
Lots of insects hide in burrows and only emerge at night, or use camouflage to avoid detection. But, more than any other group of animals, insects are also masters of the opposite strategy called aposematism. These insects use bright colouration to warn birds that they are poisonous. A 2013 study at Newcastle University found that birds still sometimes eat brightly coloured insects if they judge that the nutritional benefit outweighs the cost of dealing with the toxins.
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Luis trained as a zoologist, but now works as a science and technology educator. In his spare time he builds 3D-printed robots, in the hope that he will be spared when the revolution inevitably comes.
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