Mimicry in Numbers: How does frequency dependence affect the survival of Batesian mimics in butterflies?

Overview of Module: 1) Content. Using butterflies as an example, students will learn about how frequency of models and mimics is critical for success in a mimicry system, and that evolutionary pressures may be different in various geographic areas. There is also an emphasis on extensive field methods using artificial prey, and how these artificial prey are generated with the predators’ visual system in mind. 2) Activities. A flash card activity with the two different butterfly phenotypes is included in the module on Page 8 of the Gala module. Students can vary the abundance of each of the models and mimics, and determine when it becomes easier, or harder, to depict which is the toxic vs. non-toxic species. 3) Impact. This module helps us understand what drives the evolution of butterfly wing patterns, and how mimicry and predation play a role in this. Mimicry is not always a simple mechanism!   Learning Objectives: Understand how frequency (abundance of models and mimics is critical for a successful mimicry system. Describe how extensive field methods with artificial prey can help test the effectiveness of mimicry in the wild. Gain knowledge on visual systems of predators and how to create artificial prey for field studies that appeal to the predator’s visual system. Realize that evolutionary pressures may be different in various geographic areas.   Support was provided by: A grant from the United States National Science Foundation (DBI-RCN-UBE 2120141).