What's the point of a mirror patch?

[Arachnomaniac19]

From a biological perspective, why do they have it? Is it a form of disruptive camouflage? Is it a way to display to a predator that the animal isn't edible? Etc.

 

[ledzeppelin]

Im also interested in this.. Everything I've read have been just guesses.. Some not so bad, some a bit far fetched... For example, some argue that they are simply concetrated urticating hair for protection against predators, some say that they deflect light and ward off the predators, and finally, that the patch deflects heat, thus protecting the organs in the abdomen from overheating..

 

[MetalMan2004]

I don't think anyone will be able to give you anything better than educated guesses. It is definitely an interesting topic though.

 

[TomKemp]

Great question. I've always wondered about this myself.

 

[Anoplogaster]

Here's my educated guess: Maybe it does nothing

There can be traits that persist that have no real function to increase survival, as long as they don't decrease it. I'd say it's just an effect of the hairs reflecting the light.

 

[mistertim]

So they can look at their faces on each others' butts?

 

[gypsy cola]

Twerking

 

[Anoplogaster]

So they can look at their faces on each others' butts?

You mean moments before they eat each other?