What Is Batesian Mimicry?

Batesian mimicry is a form of mimicry where a harmless species has evolved to imitate the warning signals of a harmful species directed at a predator of them both. It is named after the English naturalist Henry Walter Bates, after his work on butterflies in the rainforests of Brazil.

What is a Batesian mimicry example?

Batesian mimicry occurs when the model is more highly defended than the mimic. An example of Batesian mimicry is when the yummy viceroy butterfly mimics the orange and black coloration of the distasteful monarch butterfly. Birds that have learned to avoid eating monarchs will avoid eating viceroys as well.

What is Batesian mimicry in biology?

Batesian mimicry involves a mimic resembling a potentially harmful model organism that a predator would normally avoid (such as a hoverfly resembling a wasp).