The species "Timema cristinae" exhibits both striped and unstriped populations depending on the host plant, a form of polymorphism that clearly illustrates the camouflage function of the stripe. The earliest ancestors of this species were generalists that fed on plants belonging to both the genera "Adenostoma" and "Ceanothus". They eventually diverged into two distinct ecotypes with a more specialist host plant preference. One ecotype prefers to feed on "Adenostoma" while the other ecotype prefers to feed on "Ceanothus". The "Adenostoma" ecotype possesses a white dorsal stripe, an adaptation to blend in with the needle-like leaves of the plant, while the "Ceanothus" ecotype does not ("Ceanothus" spp. have broad leaves). The "Adenostoma" ecotype is also smaller, with a wider head, and shorter legs.