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

Monarch Queen

Viceroy

Side view

Monarch Queen

Viceroy