FIG. 250. Aggressive mimicry. On the left, a bee, Bombus mastrucatus; on the right, a 

 fly, Volucella bombylans. Natural size. 



enable it to approach its prey undetected, as in the case of the polar bear 

 or -the tiger. Among insects, however, the occurrence of aggressive 

 resemblance is rather doubtful, even in the case of the leaf -like mantids. 



Aggressive Mimicry. Under this head are placed those cases in 

 which one species mimics another to which it is hostile. The best 

 known instance is furnished by European flies of the genus Volucelld, 

 whose larvae feed upon those of bumblebees and wasps. The flies bear 

 a close resemblance to the bees, owing to which it is supposed that the 

 former are able to enter the nests of the latter and lay their eggs. 



Alluring Coloration. The best example of this phenomenon is 

 afforded by an Indian mantid, Gongylus gongyloides, which resembles so 

 perfectly the brightly colored flowers among which it hides that insects 

 actually fly straight into its clutches. 



2IO ENTOMOLOGY 



I. APATETIC COLORS. Colors resembling some part of the environment or the 

 appearance of another species. 



A. CRYPTIC COLORS. Protective and Aggressive Resemblances. 



1. Procryptic colors. Protective Resemblances. Concealment as a pro- 



tection against enemies. Example: Kallima butterfly. 



2. Anticryptic colors. Aggressive Resemblances. Concealment in order to 



facilitate attack. Example : Mantids with leaf-like appendages. 



B. PSEUDOSEMATIC COLORS. False warning and signalling colors. 



1. Pseudaposematic colors.- Protective Mimicry. Example: Bee-like fly. 



2. Pseudepisematic colors. Aggressive Mimicry and Alluring Coloration. 



Examples: Volucella, resembling bees (Fig. 250); Flower-like mantid. 

 II. SEMATIC COLORS. Warning and Signalling Colors. 



1. Aposematic colors. Warning Colors. Examples: Gaudy colors of stinging 



insects. 



2. Episematic colors. Recognition Markings. 

 III. EPIGAMIC COLORS. Colors Displayed in Courtship. 



Such of these classes as have not already been discussed need brief 

 reference. 



Aggressive Resemblances. The resemblance of a carnivorous 

 animal to its surroundings may not only be protective but may also 



