A local was left baffled after finding a strange looking leaf insect.

Jake Herras was swimming with his family in the Lalo Cave river in Zambales, the Philippines on August 16, when he saw a moving leaf floating in the water.

He said it was the first time he had ever seen one despite living there for decades.

Jake added: ''It appears to be getting away from the huge ants that are attacking it. It might have fallen from one of the trees."

He took a video of the insect and friends verified that it was a leaf insect, or walking leaves, a type of creature which camouflage as leaves to trick their predators into missing them.