Batesian Mimicry Collection

Juvenile blacksaddle filefish (Paraluteres prionurus) mimicking a black-saddled toby (puffer) fish (Canthigaster valentini) beside hard coral. This fish is found throughout the Indo-Pacific

Henry Walter Bates, British naturalist C016 / 5866
Henry Walter Bates (1825-1892), British naturalist. Whilst on an expedition to South America with Alfred Wallace, Bates noted startling similarities between butterfly species

Examples of mimicry among butterflies C013 / 6441
Examples of mimicry among butterflies. Artwork from On the lepidoptera of the Amazon Valley. Transactions of the Linnean Society (1862), by Henry Walter Bates

Bee fly (Bombylius major) on tree bark. This bee mimic feeds on flower nectar using its long proboscis. The larvae of this species feed on the larvae of solitary bees

Red Sea mimic blenny (Ecsenius gravieri). This harmless blenny mimics the blackfin blenny (Meiacanthus nigrolineatus), which is poisonous

Attacus atlas moth incipient mimicry grn
Wing tip of an atlas moth (Attacus atlas) of Northern India showing the incipient ocelli and markings which appear to resemble a snakes head

1797 Atlas Moth illustration
Copperplate print with contemporary hand colouring from Betruchs " Bilderbuch fur kinder". It shows the worlds largest moth (wing area), the Atlas moth

Juvenile sweetlips. Young sweetlips (Plectorhinchus sp.) on a coral reef. Juvenile sweetlips have very obvious markings and swim in an exaggerated manner

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Discover the fascinating world of Batesian mimicry, named after the brilliant British naturalist Henry Walter Bates (C016/5866). This intriguing phenomenon involves non-venomous or less threatening species, like the juvenile blacksaddle filefish, resembling their more dangerous counterparts to deter predators. For instance, the bee fly and hoverfly mimic the menacing wasp, while the red Sea mimic blenny resembles the venomous lionfish. The Attacus atlas moth exhibits incipient mimicry, with its green form resembling a toxic leaf. This 1797 illustration of the Atlas Moth (C013/6441) showcases the stunning similarity. Even the juvenile sweetlips display a striking resemblance to other species, adding another layer to the complex web of nature's deception.