Deimatic behaviour
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Deimatic behaviour or startle display means any pattern of bluffing behaviour in an animal that lacks strong defences, such as suddenly displaying conspicuous eyespots, to scare off or momentarily distract a predator, thus giving the prey animal an opportunity to escape. The term deimatic or dymantic originates from the Greek δειματόω (deimatóo), meaning "to frighten".
Spirama helicina resembling the face of a snake in a deimatic or bluffing display
A puss moth (Cerura vinula) caterpillar displaying its two flagella on its tail and red patches on its head. If the threat does not retreat, the caterpillar can fire formic acid from its flagella.
Threat pose of the phasmid Haaniella dehaanii
An adult female Mediterranean mantis, Iris oratoria, in threat pose
Eyespot (mimicry)
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An eyespot is an eye-like marking. They are found in butterflies, reptiles, cats, birds and fish.
Many butterflies, such as this gladeye bushbrown (Mycalesis patnia), have eyespots on their wings.
Polyphemus moth
Io moth
Indian peafowl display