Camouflage by counter‐brightness: the blue wings of Morpho dragonflies <i>Zenithoptera lanei</i> (Anisoptera: Libellulidae) match the water background

Bright iridescent colours are widespread in several aquatic and terrestrial animal taxa usually involved intraspecific communication and/or predator avoidance. Camouflage by iridescence may be one strategy to avoid predators when the exhibits bright that match brightness of its surroundings. Hence, structural colouration have a “brightness matching” or “counter-brightness” function observed against glossy backgrounds. Here, we addressed role such counter-brightness effect wings Morpho dragonfly Zenithoptera lanei for avoiding detection. We hypothesized reflectance is cryptic water surface vegetation where they naturally occur, protecting from visually oriented predators, deceiving prey signalling conspecifics desired. whether (1) Z. as visual reduce their wing detectability matching background (2) varies according observer. For this, modelled how conspecifics, dipteran predatory birds see odonate Neotropical Savannah dragonflies perch. Our results suggest can detection perched on natural habitats (i.e., ponds) surface. add evidence multifunctionality animals camouflage. The ultraviolet reflective nanostructures coupled with striking behavioural displays provide dynamic safe channel.