Biology
Mimicry of Toxic Models in Palatable Butterfly Species
Quick fact
In Batesian mimicry, a palatable butterfly species evolves to look almost identical to a toxic model, and the predator's learned avoidance of the toxic model protects the mimic. The mimic's resemblance is so convincing that even a small fraction of toxic models among a larger population of mimics is enough to sustain the deception.
Why this is interesting
Imagine a harmless butterfly that disguises itself as a poisonous one, completely fooling its predators. How does this clever trick work, and why doesn't it always pay off?