THE peanut-head bug found in the rainforests of Central and South America is so named because its large head looks like an unshelled peanut. The insect can only suck juices from plants as it lacks teeth.
However, nature has made up for this deficiency by equipping it with multiple weapons to fight predators.
The insect has a set of extra-large eye-spots on its hind wings. When attacked, it opens its wings and flashes these ‘giant eyes’ at the enemy. If this doesn’t scare the attacker, the bug releases a toxic and foul-smelling spray, skunk-style.
Scientists also believe that the bulbous head, which resembles that of a lizard, is a natural camouflage to repel animals that do not feed on lizards.