Velvet Ants and Müllerian mimicry

[Recusant]

These are some very interesting little critters, best given a wide berth--they're not as cuddly as they look; they're actually a type of wasp, and many species look a lot alike.

"Velvet ants share warning signals with their neighbours" | The Guardian

Adult female velvet ants: Western Mimicry ring. 
Image credit: Joe Wilson/Joe Wilson et al. Current Biology 2015

A team of American scientists report they've discovered of one of the world's largest complexes of mimics, New World velvet ants. These brilliantly-coloured insects produce an intensely painful venom, yet neighbouring species still resemble each other so closely that they are barely distinguishable, an unusual trait known as Müllerian mimicry.

Warning signals are directed at specific predators

Aposematism is an evolutionary phenomenon that is more commonly known as a "warning signal". Aposematic signals are actually beneficial for both predator and prey, because both rely upon them to avoid potential harm. For this reason, warning signals are directed at a specific type of predator and are intended to prevent attack by advertising the bearer's unpalatability or noxiousness.

There are a variety of warning signals, including conspicuous colours or colour patterns, sounds, odours or other traits that are difficult for would-be predators to overlook. Some types of warning signals appeal more strongly to the senses of one sort of predator than to another. For example, a visual warning, such as brilliant colouring, appeals more strongly to a bird than to a nocturnal colour-blind mammal. Since warning signals are such an effective anti-predator system, other creatures that share the same predators may also mimic them.

There are two forms of mimicry. The first form, which is better studied, is known as Batesian mimicry. Batesian mimics are harmless species that evolve similar warning signals as those of a noxious species so would-be predators are deceived into avoiding them. Basically, they are cheaters. Generally, Batesian mimics are close relatives. This phenomenon was discovered by the English naturalist, Henry Walter Bates, whilst studying butterflies in the rainforests of Brazil.

The second form, discovered by the German naturalist, Fritz Müller, is Müllerian mimicry. This is a system where two or more noxious species that share predators also mimic each other's warning signals. Müllerian mimics may or may not be closely related, and this phenomenon is less common in nature than is than Batesian mimicry.

[Continues . . .]

[Tank]

Fascinating stuff.

[Icarus]

Perhaps more evidence of the evolutionary survival process. Bugs are both interesting and sometimes scary.  Those furry ones are creepy.

I have had a re- occurring episode with giant grasshoppers. The damned things are huge.  The beasties are 4 inches ( 10cm) long and according to the searches, they contain toxic chemicals that are deadly to predators such as birds.  Birds are smart enough not mess with them. They are also highly resistant to any sort of permissible insecticide. It takes several blows with a large brick to render them inoperative. I think that god has sent a horde of monsters to devour my lawn while thwarting my attempts to do them in.  The reason I think that god is determined to punish me exclusively, is that neither of my neighbors has so much as seen one of the monster bugs.