#mimic nature

[autoboros]

Even more inspiration has hit me. Mimic octopus who mirrors people they like

[artifacts-and-arthropods]

The Oriental Blue Clearwing Moth: these moths were regarded as a "lost species" for more than 130 years, until they were finally sighted again in 2013

For more than 130 years, the Oriental blue clearwing moth (Heterosphecia tawonoides) was known only from a single, badly damaged specimen that was collected in Sumatra in 1887. There were no recorded sightings of this species again until 2013, when entomologist Dr. Marta Skowron Volponi unexpectedly found the moths feeding on salt deposits that had accumulated along the riverbanks in Malaysia's lowland rainforest.

These moths were observed by researchers again in 2016 and 2017, and research indicates that the moths are actually bee-mimics, as they mimic the appearance, sound, behavior, and flight patterns of local bees. Their fuzzy, bright blue appearance might seem a little out of place for a bee-mimic, but those features do appear in several different bee species throughout Southeast Asia.

When the moths are in flight, they bear a particularly strong resemblance to the bees of the genus Thyreus (i.e. cuckoo bees, otherwise known as cloak-and-dagger bees), several of which are also bright blue, with banded markings, dark blue wings, fuzzy legs, and smooth, rounded antennae. The physical resemblance is compounded by the acoustic and behavioral mimicry that occurs when the moths are in flight.

Cloak-and-Dagger Bees: the image at the top shows an Indo-Malayan cloak-and-dagger bee (Thyreus novaehollandiae) in a sleeping position, holding itself upright with its mandibles clamped onto a twig, while the image at the bottom shows a Himalayan cloak-and-dagger bee (T. himalayensis) resting in the same position

The moths also engage in "mud-puddling" among the various bees that congregate along the riverbanks; mud-puddling is the process whereby an insect (usually a bee or a butterfly) draws nutrients from the fluids found in puddles, wet sand, decaying plant matter, carrion, animal waste, sweat, tears, and/or blood. According to researchers, the Oriental blue clearwing moth was the only lepidopteran that was seen mud-puddling among the local bees.

Dr. Skowron Volponi commented on the unusual appearance and behavior of these moths:

You think about moths and you envision a grey, hairy insect that is attracted to light. But this species is dramatically different—it is beautiful, shiny blue in sunlight and it comes out during the day; and it is a master of disguise, mimicking bees on multiple levels and even hanging out with them. The Oriental blue clearwing is just two centimeters in size, but there are so many fascinating things about them and so much more we hope to learn.

This species is still incredibly vulnerable, as it faces threats like deforestation, pollution, and climate change. The president of Global Wildlife Conservation, which is an organization that seeks to rediscover "lost species," added:

After learning about this incredible rediscovery, we hope that tourists visiting Taman Negara National Park and picnicking on the riverbanks—the home of these beautiful clearwing moths—will remember to tread lightly and to take their trash out of the park with them. We also recommend that Americans learn about palm oil production, which is one of the primary causes of deforestation in Malaysia.

Sources & More Info:

Phys.org: Bee-Mimicking Clearwing Moth Buzzes Back to Life After 130 Years

Mongabay News: Moth Rediscovered in Malaysia Mimics Appearance and Behavior of Bees to Escape Predators

Journal of Tropical Conservation Science: Lost Species of Bee-Mimicking Clearwing Moth, H. tawonoides, Rediscovered in Peninsular Malaysia's Primary Rainforest

Frontiers in Zoology: Southeast Asian Clearwing Moths Buzz like their Model Bees

Royal Society Publishing: Moving like a Model - mimicry of hymenopteran flight trajectories by clearwing moths of Southeast Asian rainforests

Medium: Rediscovery in a Glint of Blue

re:wild.org: The "Search for Lost Species" Project

[herpsandbirds]

Long-billed Thrasher (Toxostoma longirostre), family Mimidae, order Passeriformes, Laguna Seca Ranch, South TX, USA

photograph by Karen Schneider

[celestialmacros]

So. Much. Pollen.

Carpenter-mimic Leafcutter Bee (Megachile xylocopoides)

August 16, 2023

Southeastern Pennsylvania

[typhlonectes]

A remarkable example of suspected Batesian mimicry of Gaboon Vipers by Congolese Giant Toads

Eugene R. Vaughan, Mark S. Teshera, Chifundera Kusamba, Theresa R. Edmonston, and Eli Greenbaum

Abstract

Batesian mimicry is a phenomenon in nature whereby a non-toxic animal emulates a noxious one, seeking to deter predators by deception. This type of mimicry occurs in many animals, with numerous documented examples of invertebrates, harmless squamates, and even birds that mimic venomous snakes. However, no observations of anurans mimicking venomous snakes have been reported. Based on comparative data from colour pattern, morphology, geographic distribution and behaviour, we propose that the Congolese Giant Toad (Sclerophrys channingi), endemic to Democratic Republic of Congo, is a Batesian mimic of the geographically widespread Gaboon Viper (Bitis gabonica). Although the colour pattern similarity between these taxa is not an exact match, aposematism and precise imitation are not required for Batesian mimicry to be effective, especially when the model (B. gabonica) is dangerously venomous and carefully avoided by other vertebrates. Given the morphological similarity between S. channingi and two other African toad species (S. brauni and S. superciliaris) that are sympatric with B. gabonica and its sister taxon (B. rhinoceros), similar examples of Batesian mimicry are likely.

Read the paper here: A remarkable example of suspected Batesian mimicry of Gaboon Vipers (Reptilia: Viperidae: Bitis gabonica ) by Congolese Giant Toads (Amphibia: Bufonidae: Sclerophrys channingi ) | Request PDF (researchgate.net)

Journal of Natural History 53(29-30): 1853–1871. (2019)

doi: 10.1080/00222933.2019.1669730

[haveihitanerve]

No okay but you guys don’t understand- the way SFTH bois are always always whether on purpose or not, in sync is everything I’ve ever wanted in life its so fucking cute-

Like when they’re doing expert, obviously the three are trying their best to be together, or mimic the same thing the previous person has gesticulated

But also- when they’re casually sitting in the wings, on opposite sides, watching the main stage, they’ll lean together in sync

They’ll cross their legs at the same time

Sam and Luke push back their hair together

AJ and Luke lean in the same direction when they laugh

Tom and Sam dip their heads to hide a laugh or disappointed at the same time

They follow hand movements, step backwards together, blend and flow around each other with such perfect synchronization you think its scripted

[nshi-ao3]

Another one reformatted! Lil' copycat...

[goryhorroor]

horror sub-genres • ecological horror

the complicated relationship between earth and humans has been very extensive, and this sub-genre shows mother nature fighting back against humans with plagues, animals, weather, or all three.

[montydragon]

Past two days are going to be today instead but here's Miphlink week day 2: Royalty!

Zora royal clothing is quite a bit different from that of the kingdom of Hyrule.

[nugatorysheep]

Fuck the haters and happy birthday to this dumb fat bastard

[mwolf0epsilon]

Seeing your little doodle of Henry and his cake had me thinking: can a mimic eat the same foods we humans eat? Or do they have dietary restrictions much like how animals can't eat specific foods e.g. chocolate, coffee, etc? Are they capable of consuming things like coal and oil like the engine they impersonate?

Yes, mimics can indeed eat the same foods as humans.

But they are also constrained by some dietary restrictions due to their organs taking on the specifications of the vehicle or heavy machine they've taken on as their final form. So, essentially, depending on what they become, a mimic's diet will change to accommodate the fuel type and the crews are responsible for preparing their food to specification.

Steam engine mimics consume coal, so they become more carnivorous in nature because they quite literally burn through calories very quickly (they run hotter than other mimics and, while their stomach acid is strong enough to burn through organic matter and metal, they are more likely to get sick if they eat synthetic chemicals).

Diesel engine mimics consume diesel fuel, so they are more herbivorous in nature so as to not overload their system with more carbon (they can on occasion consume protein to balance out their natural requirements, and they're considerably more resistant to poisoning than steam engine mimics, but they still have their limits).

Road vehicle mimics are more omnivorous because their fuels vary, and you even have crane mimics who are more often than not piscivorous or insectivorous.

That of course doesn't mean they can't have a few special treats of their preference. Human foods are especially delectable to mimics who view them as the most luxurious things that their handlers can offer them in return for work (being minor fae, mimics have a concept of value that they assign certain goods and services, and human food is at the very top of the list on the scale of offerings).

The only common denominator is that mimics are not allowed to have carbonated drinks because it seems to nullify the effects of Golden Dust Inc. Feed™ which is what railways use to shrink them when they're not in service (no one is sure why this is, but as a general rule of thumb you shouldn't give critters soda anyway...).

Here's a known list of what foods/snacks/desserts and drinks one can use to reward/bribe specific mimics (this is an excerpt from the Fat Controller's notebook, so it's not a complete list), some of which raise some eyebrows:

Glynn - English Breakfast / Earl grey tea

Thomas - Savoury pastries / Store-bought orange juice

Edward - Fish and Chips / Chamomile tea

Henry - Fish jerky or pickled veggies / Fresh fruit juice

Gordon - Chocolate pastries / Mint tea

James - Pancakes topped with fruit / Strawberry milkshake

Percy - Grilled cheese sandwich / Chocolate milk

Toby - English muffins / Black coffee

Duck - Cadbury creme eggs / Oat milk

Donald & Douglas - Cullen skink and shepherd's pie / Honey lemon milk

Oliver - Werther's Originals / Latte

Toad - Banana chips / Banana milkshake

Emily - Blueberry muffins / Black tea

Rosie - Banana bread / Cranberry Juice

Ryan - Pasty barm / Beetroot juice

Bill & Ben - Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches / Hot cocoa

Diesel - Steamed Brussels sprouts with melted cheese / Blackberry juice

BoCo - Chocolate pudding / Cappuccino

Daisy - Ambrosia fruit salad / Honeydew juice

Mavis - Fruit tarts / Tutti frutti smoothie

Paxton - Spicy sweet potato fries / Orange carrot mango smoothie

Diesel 10 - Bone Marrow Soup / Pineapple juice

Victor - Ropa Vieja / Rum

Kevin - Tuna salad sandwich / Dr. Pepper

Hiro - Fried chicken wings / Lemon tea (Substitutes for his favourite snacks from home)

Salty - Salted pretzels / Lemonade

Porter - Stuffed squid / Lemonade

Cranky - Crabsticks / Whiskey

Naturally no one is encouraged to give a mimic alcohol, especially not during work hours. It's not bad for them per say (I mean, alcohol isn't good for anyone really, you know what I mean) but it certainly isn't making any of them overly productive...

[artifacts-and-arthropods]

Moths in Disguise: these are all just harmless moths that have developed the ability to mimic wasps, bees, and/or hornets

Top Row (left to right): Eusphecia pimplaeformis and Myrmecopsis polistes; Bottom Row: Pennisetia marginatum

Moths are exceptionally skilled when it comes to mimicry, and there are hundreds of moth species that rely on that tactic as a way to protect themselves from predators. Their disguises are numerous and varied, but hymenopteran mimicry is particularly common, especially among the moths that belong to subfamily Sesiidae and family Arctiinae.

Yellowjacket-Mimicking Moths: Pseudosphex sp. (top and bottom left) and Myrmecopsis polistes (bottom right)

Some of their disguises involve more than just a physical resemblance -- there are some moths that also engage in behavioral and/or acoustic mimicry, meaning that they can imitate the specific sounds and behaviors of their hymenopteran models. In some cases, these moths are so convincing that they can even fool the actual wasps/bees that they are mimicking.

Such a detailed and intricate disguise is unusual even among mimics, and researchers believe that it developed partly as a way to trick the wasps into treating the mimic like one of their own. Wasps tend to prey upon moths (and many other insects), but they are innately non-aggressive toward their own nest-mates, which are identified by sight -- so if the moth can convincingly impersonate its model, then it can avoid being eaten by predatory wasps.

Wasp-Mimicking Moths: Pseudosphex ichneumonea (top), Myrmecopsis sp. (bottom left), and Pseudosphex sp. (bottom right)

There are many moths that can also mimic hornets, bumblebees, and carpenter bees.

Hornet-Mimicking Moths: Eusphecia pimplaeformis (top left), Sesia apiformis (bottom left), Paranthrene simulans (top right), Pennisetia marginatum (middle right), and Sphecodoptera scribai (bottom left)

Bumblebee-Mimicking Moths: Hemaris tityus (top and bottom left) and Hemaris affinis (bottom right)

Moths are some of the most talented mimics in the natural world, as illustrated by their mastery of hymenopteran mimicry. But it's not just bees, hornets, and wasps -- there are many other forms of mimicry that can be found among moths, and the resemblance is often staggering.

Moths deserve far more credit than they receive, to be honest, because they are so incredibly interesting/diverse.

Sources & More Info:

Journal of Ecology and Evolution: A Hypothesis to Explain the Accuracy of Wasp Resemblances

Frontiers in Zoology: Southeast Asian clearwing moths buzz like their model bees

Royal Society Publishing: Moving like a model: mimicry of hymenopteran flight trajectories by clearwing moths of Southeast Asian rainforests

[herpsandbirds]

Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis), EAT A TASTY BERRY!!!, family Mimidae, order Passeriformes, Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge, WV, USA

photograph by Michael Schramm/USFWS

[jenfoundabug]

This creature is a tricksy one. Over half of you thought it would sting, and this FLY thanks you for the compliments on its mimicry <3

This is a long-horned yellowjacket fly (Sphecomyia vittata), aptly named because it evolved to cosplay a yellowjacket (a type of predatory social wasp). These flies can’t bite or sting, but as very convincing mimics, they can safely visit flowers to feed without being disturbed. I, too, thought this was a wasp, until I was looking at photos later. There are several giveaways. You can see its halteres in the first picture. These are small club-shaped organs that replace the second pair of wings on flies and are used for stabilization during flight. The fly doesn't have a "waist" like a wasp, and its antennae have a small number of segments with an arista (filament) on the end. The head is also distinctly fly-shaped, and it doesn't have large mandibles. Here's an actual yellowjacket for comparison: (Western yellowjacket; Vespula pensylvanica)

[hollypies]

Its been a while since i drew some hk ocs! Especially Echo an Mimic :)

Also Echo is a barbie mushroom that's why she's pink :)

[miyrumiyru]

Love on a leaf!

Not gonna lie, this situation is kinda... hot.

조잔벌붙이파리 (Conops flavipes)