Bee and Wasp Mimicry

Discussion ( 9 posts  |  Only members can post. Join? )

Title	Author	Replies	Latest Post
What kind of Philanthus Wasp is this?	ValterJacinto	0	9 months ago
What Kind of solitary Bee is this?	ValterJacinto	0	9 months ago
Bee mimicry in plants.	elhawk	4	12 months ago
Macrophotography tips.	Lord V	3	20 months ago
wasn't this post about mimicry?	postpurchase	0	22 months ago
Another mimicry group!	smccann	1	24 months ago

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About Bee and Wasp Mimicry

This group gives a home to that wonderful array of insects in which Natural Selection has favoured a form of deception known as 'Batesian' mimicry. The mimic reproduces the distinctive features of an unpalatable or dangerous species and thereby avoids being dinner for (usually) the bird who has had the nasty experience. Don't think you have to have a bird brain to be duped! Many a talented Flickr insect photographer has been fooled into thinking hoverflies are bees or wasps...

Have a look at this discussion on the evolution of different types of mimicry.

At least to begin with let's limit this to bee and wasp mimics but there are of course many others - eg the eye spots of butterflies and fish and the 'ear tufts' of owls.

PLEASE don't put honey bee pictures here! Go to Bees and Beekeeping