thermoregulation, protection and optimal foraging conditions. Females and males remain sheltered in the leaf litter and their cryptic coloration adds an additional camouflage element but it is inconclusive as to whether the habitat distribution directly caused the color dimorphism. Environmental factors greatly influence the change within the Lampropholis delicata species and continue to preserve each distinct variation. These polymorphisms have the potential to greatly affect survival in each niche, especially because the Lampropholis delicata is an invasive species, creating more need for adaptations. Predation The predation of small reptiles and amphibians by terrestrial arthropods is very common in Australia, more so than other continents. More specifically, small lizards and snakes commonly become entangled in webs of female red-back spiders, or Latrodectus hasseltii. A typical account of predation involves a dead adult L. delicata entangled in the usually irregular web of a mature adult female L. hasseltii. If the lizards’ tails are not autotomised, an angular point in the curved tail may suggest a partial break around the mid-tail level. Commonly, rigor mortis is present in these lizards. Pest status Known in New Zealand as "rainbow skink", or more recently "plague skink", it was accidentally introduced in the early 1960s presumably as eggs in garden plant potting mix and is extremely common in the top third of the North Island, found in several other parts of the North Island, and also in the top of the South Island around Blenheim. Considered an invasive species as it competes with native lizards for food and habitat. High populations densities of this introduced skink may also impact native lizard species by artificially increasing the population of lizard-focused predators such as the sacred kingfisher. Called "metallic skink" in Hawaii where it was accidentally introduced in the early 1900s, it was misidentified as Lygosoma metallicum and has since been reclassified as Lampropholis delicata. It is reportedly now the most numerous skink on the main Hawaiian Islands. It was accidentally introduced to Lord Howe Island in the 80s, where it quickly colonised the whole island. L. delicata in Hawaii Lampropholis delicata was accidentally imported to the Hawaiian islands from Australia around the 1900s via shipments of plant materials and lumber. It was noted as an unreported specimen taken on the Oahu island and identified as a Lipinia noctua at that time, then later reclassified as Lygosomoa metallicum (the metallic skink) because of its physical appearance. L. Metallicum