Mimicry
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In evolutionary biology, mimicry is the evolved resemblance of an organism to something else, often another organism of a different species. Mimicry may evolve between different species, or between in
Many insects including hoverflies (C, D, E) and the wasp beetle (F) are Batesian mimics of stinging wasps (A, B), which are Müllerian mimics of each other.
In 1879, Fritz Müller created the first mathematical model of mimicry to explain why distasteful species should evolve similar appearances.
Plate from Henry Walter Bates's 1862 paper illustrating Batesian mimicry between harmless Dismorphia species (top and third row) and distasteful Ithomiini (Nymphalidae, second and bottom row).
Mutual Müllerian mimicry in distasteful Heliconius butterflies. Plate LXII from Müller's collected writings, 1881
Hoverfly
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Hoverflies or hover flies, also called flower flies or syrphids, make up the insect family Syrphidae. As their common name suggests, they are often seen hovering, maintaining a spot in the air as part
Mimicry
…case, as in Batesian mimicry, a mimic resembles a model, so as to deceive a dupe, all three being of different species. A Batesian mimic, such as a hoverfly, is harmless, while its model, such as a wasp, is harmful, and is avoided by the dupe, such as an insect-eating bird. Birds hunt by sight, so the mimicry…
Syrphidae poster
Eupeodes fumipennis
Eupeodes volucris
Helophilus fasciatus