Eye-spot (mimicry) facts for kids

Moth Automeris io shows startle display on its rear wings

A serval from behind, with ocelli on the back of its ears. Kits can see their mother as she moves in the long grass

An eye-spot (or ocellus) is an eye-like marking on the body of an animal. They are found on butterflies, reptiles, felids, birds and fish.

Eye-spots may be a form of mimicry: the spot looks like the eye of a larger animal. Its function may be to draw a predator's attention away from the most vulnerable body parts; or to look like an unpleasant or dangerous animal.

In larger animals, eyespots may play a role in intraspecies communication or courtship – the best-known example is probably the eyespots on a peacock's display feathers.

There is evidence that eyespots in butterflies are anti-predator defences. Some are deimatic displays to distract, startle or scare off predators, or at least to deflect attacks away from vital body parts. Butterfly eyespots may also play a role in mate recognition and sexual selection, like the eyespots on larger organisms.

Images for kids

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  Many butterflies, such as this gladeye bushbrown (Mycalesis patnia), have eyespots on their wings.

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  Polyphemus moth

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  Plan of a typical butterfly, showing the morphogenetic foci on the wings that create eyespots

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  Larva of elephant hawkmoth displaying eyespots when alarmed

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  Automimicry: gray hairstreak has false head at rear

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  Sand lizard with rows of eyespots

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  Pygmy owl with eyespots behind head

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  Foureye butterflyfish has false eyes near tail and disruptive eye mask concealing eye

See also

In Spanish: Ocelo (mimetismo) para niños