As a result, in such regions, the imitating species now has abandoned the Invitation strategy ,instead（ of） informing into a different color to better suit its new ,less dangerous surroundings.
Can the "of" here be omitted? But why should it be omitted?

Question

As a result, in such regions, the imitating species now has abandoned the Invitation strategy ,instead（ of） informing  into a different color to better suit  its new ,less dangerous surroundings.
Can the "of" here be omitted? But why should it be omitted?

Answer

The 'of' cannot be omitted. It comes with the instead in this situation. Otherwise, it will change the meaning of the sentence completely

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