Mimicry in Nature (3172759556)

Description:

Description: Top Left is the Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor) Top Right is the Red Spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis) Bottom Left is the Monarch (Danaus plexippus) Bottom Right is the Viceroy (Limenitis archippus) Mimicry in nature is fairly common. In most cases the one that mimics gains survival benefits by mimicking warning colors or patterns. For example an animals color may indicate it is toxic. The orange Monarch stores toxins it ingests as a caterpiller. Predators learn this (instinct?) and so avoid the Viceroy which has an uncanny resemblance to the Monarch. The same is true between the Pipevine Swallowtail and its mimic the Red Spotted Purple. Date: 5 January 2009, 21:20. Source: Mimicry in Nature. Author: John Flannery from Richmond County, North Carolina, USA.