Mimicry Among Animals 



so exactly like a Tricondyla (one of the tig r 

 beetles), that such an experienced entomologist 

 as Professor Westwood placed it among I 

 in his cabinet, and retained it there a long time 

 before he discovered his mistake ! Both insects 

 run along the trunks of trees, and whereas 

 Tricondylas are very plentiful, the insect that 

 mimics it is, as in all other cases, very rare. 

 Mr. Bates also informs us that he found at 

 Santarem on the Amazon, a species of locust 

 which mimicked one of the tiger beetles of the 

 genus Odontocheila, and was found on the 

 same trees which they frequented. 



There are a considerable number of Diptera, 

 or two-winged flies, that closely resemble wasps 

 and bees, and no doubt derive much benefit 

 from the wholesome dread which those insects 

 excite. The Midas dives, and other species of 

 large Brazilian flies, have dark wings and 

 metallic blue elongate bodies, resembling the 

 large stinging Sphegidae of the same country; 

 and a very large fly of the genus Asilus has 

 black-banded wings and the abdomen tipped 

 with rich orange, so as exactly to resemble 

 the fine bee Euglossa dimidiata, and both are 

 found in the same parts of South America. We 

 have also in our own country species of Bom- 

 bylius which are almost exactly like bees. In 

 these cases the end gained by the mimicry is no 

 doubt freedom from attack, but it has sometimes 

 an altogether different purpose. There are a 

 number of parasitic flies whose larvae feed upon 

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