Scientists have discovered a bright pink insect that changes colour

The study was published in the journal Ecology.

This is a rare species of grasshopper, Arota festae, which lives in the rainforests of Panama, Colombia and Suriname.

Scientists spotted the adult female near a research station on Barro Colorado Island in Panama. At the time of discovery, the insect was bright pink in colour, which looks unusual for a green rainforest.

However, 11 days later the colour had completely changed - the insect was green and almost indistinguishable from the surrounding foliage.

Details

The researchers observed it for about a month and took daily photos. At first, the bright pink colour gradually became paler, and then completely changed to green.

According to scientists, such a feature may be related to camouflage.

In tropical forests, many young leaves are first pink or reddish in colour and then turn green as they grow. An insect may copy this process to better hide from predators.

In this way, it first camouflages itself among the young pink leaves and then among the normal green foliage.

Why it's important

Previously, pink grasshoppers were thought to be a rare genetic anomaly. But a new observation shows that the bright colouration may be part of an adaptation to the environment.

The discovery helps to better understand how precisely the animals can adjust to the complex ecosystem of the rainforest.

Background

Pink grasshoppers have been known to science since the 19th century, but this is the first observation of an insect completely changing colour during a single life stage.

Source

J. Benito Wainwright et al, Ecology (2026), DOI: 10.1002/ecy.70333