MimeticButterflies

Mimicry

‘Mimicry’ refers to the imitation of the colour and/or behaviour of one organism by another.

Selection to deceive the senses leads to striking similarity among mimetic species.

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Batesian Mimicry
Batesian mimics closely resemble toxic or dangerous species. A trait that protects them from predation.

Papilio dardanus; a very interesting Batesian mimic indeed

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Butterflies in disguise

Mimetic species gain an evolutionary advantage by imitating harmful ones.

Larvae with snake-like appearance.
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Adaptive colouration

Boldly coloured species.

Chemically-defended species advertise their toxicity.
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Camouflage

This Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) aims to escape detection.

Camouflage: Another successful strategy to prevent predation.
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Mimicry

Polymorphism

Genetics

History

Papilio dardanus