Mimicry
Batesian Mimicry
• Batesian mimicry is a type mimicry
where a non-poisonous organism
evolves to resemble a poisonous
organism.
• An example of this would be the
resemblance between the Viceroy and
the Monarch butterflies
• It is necessary for the mimic to maintain
its population densities below that of the
dangerous species. Why?
Viceroy
• The Viceroy butterfly is not distasteful,
as its diet as a caterpillar is willow and
poplar leaves.
Monarch
• The Monarch is distasteful to many
species, due to its milkweed diet as a
caterpillar.
Müllerian Mimicry
• Müllerian mimicry is a type of mimicry
where two poisonous organisms evolve
to resemble each other.
• An example of this would be the
resemblance between the Monarch and
the Queen Butterfly.
Monarch
• The Monarch is distasteful to many
species, due to its milkweed diet as a
caterpillar.
Queen
• The Queen butterfly is distasteful to
many species as well, again due to its
milkweed diet as a caterpillar.
Top view
Queen
Monarch
Viceroy
Side view
Monarch
Queen
Viceroy