Why do viceroy butterflies look similar to Monarch Butterflies?
The similarity in appearance may seem like a simple coincidence, but it’s actually a useful defense mechanism called Mullerian mimicry. This phenomenon is when two or more noxious species develop similar appearances that serve as a protective mechanism for both, according to Save Our Monarchs.
What does the viceroy butterfly mimic?
Its color and pattern mimics the monarch butterfly’s pattern, except for a black horizontal stripe that crosses the bottom of its back wings. The viceroy caterpillar is white and olive-brown.
What is the reason behind Viceroy butterflies copied monarchs?
Answer: Viceroy butterflies copied monarchs because monarchs do not taste good to birds. Viceroy butterflies on the other hand taste good to birds. So, the more they look similar to monarchs, the less likely they are to become a bird’s prey.
What adaptations do viceroy butterflies use?
Mimicry comes in several varieties, including Batesian mimicry, which is when a palatable organism mimics a species that is unpalatable to predators. Consequently, they are avoided by predators, increasing their fitness. A vivid example of Batesian mimicry is depicted by Viceroy and Monarch Butterflies.
Is there another butterfly that looks like a monarch?
Viceroy butterflies look exactly like monarchs to the untrained observer. Viceroys “mimic” monarchs in appearance.
Why did Ebright lose interest in butterflies?
He tagged the butterflies and released them to study their migratory habits. However he soon lost interest in tagging butterflies because only two of his tagged butterflies were returned to him and they had travelled only seventy-five miles. Ebright thus could not get any information about his raised butterflies.
Why did Ebright raise a flock of butterflies 10?
Why did Ebright decide to raise butterflies in his basement? He wanted to tag the monarch butterflies to study their migration. Since butterfly season lasted only six weeks he wouldn’t be able catch many and tag them. Hence, he decided to raise them in his basement.
What did Ebright realize when he started tagging butterflies?
Ans. Ebright started tagging monarch butterflies. He realized that chasing the butterflies one by one won’t enable him to each many. So he decided to raise a flock of butterflies.
