Mimicry-complex
Guides
Ceropales hatoda
Ceropales hatoda is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, described by Brimley in 1928. The genus Ceropales comprises kleptoparasitic spider wasps that exploit the prey provisions of other spider wasps rather than hunting spiders directly. This species is part of a group noted for its distinctive coloration and potential role in mimicry complexes with other aculeate wasps.
Desmocerus aureipennis cribripennis
Desmocerus aureipennis cribripennis is a subspecies of elderberry longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae. Like other members of the genus Desmocerus, it is associated with elderberry plants (Sambucus). The species complex exhibits bright aposematic coloration involving orange and blue or black patterns. This subspecies occurs in western North America and is part of a group that has been studied for chemical ecology and conservation biology.
Lycidae
net-winged beetles
Lycidae is a cosmopolitan family of beetles commonly known as net-winged beetles. Adults are typically elongated, 10–15 mm in length, with brick-red or black-and-orange coloration and long, serrated antennae. The family is notable for its distinctive reticulated wing venation, chemical defenses against predators, and participation in extensive Müllerian mimicry complexes with other beetles and even moths. Several lineages exhibit neoteny, with females retaining larval morphology into adulthood.
Lycomorpha fulgens
Lycomorpha fulgens is a small moth in the family Erebidae, described by Henry Edwards in 1881. It is restricted to the southwestern United States. The species exhibits striking aposematic coloration with predominantly red forewings and black hindwings, characteristic of the lycid beetle mimicry complex to which the genus belongs.
Lygaeus turcicus
False Milkweed Bug, Heliopsis Bug
Lygaeus turcicus, commonly known as the false milkweed bug or heliopsis bug, is a seed bug in the family Lygaeidae native to eastern North America. Despite its common name, it does not feed on milkweeds but rather specializes on false sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides). The species is frequently confused with the small milkweed bug (Lygaeus kalmii) and the large milkweed bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus) due to similar orange and black coloration.
Lygistopterus
net-winged beetles
Lygistopterus is a genus of net-winged beetles (family Lycidae) comprising approximately 11 described species. The genus exhibits the characteristic aposematic coloration typical of Lycidae, with bright orange and black patterns advertising chemical defenses. Species occur across North America and Europe, including an Italian endemic, L. anorachilus. Members of this genus are distinguished from related lycid genera by specific morphological features of the head, prothorax, and male genitalia.
Lygistopterus slevini
Lygistopterus slevini is a species of net-winged beetle in the family Lycidae. As with other lycids, adults are likely to exhibit aposematic coloration warning of chemical defenses. The species is documented from the southwestern United States, with records from Arizona and New Mexico. Observations suggest activity in late spring to early summer, consistent with the phenology of related net-winged beetles in arid regions.
Physocnemum violaceipenne
Physocnemum violaceipenne is a species of longhorned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, subfamily Cerambycinae, and tribe Callidiini. The species was described by Hamilton in 1896. It belongs to a genus whose members are known for ant- or wasp-mimicking appearance and behavior, though specific details for this particular species remain poorly documented in the available literature. The genus name Physocnemum refers to the swollen or enlarged scape of the antennae characteristic of these beetles.
Pseudomethoca anthracina
Pseudomethoca anthracina is a species of velvet ant (family Mutillidae), a group of solitary wasps in which females are wingless and often possess potent stings. Like other mutillids, this species exhibits sexual dimorphism with winged males and apterous females. The genus Pseudomethoca is part of a diverse assemblage of velvet ants in North America. Observations suggest activity in sandy habitats, consistent with many mutillid species that nest in soil.
Temnoscheila acuta
Temnoscheila acuta is a bark-gnawing beetle in the family Trogossitidae. The species was described by LeConte in 1858. It closely resembles Eleodes suturalis, a darkling beetle with which it shares size, coloration, and a reddish-brown sutural stripe on the elytra. Both species occur sympatrically in the Great Plains region. T. acuta averages larger than E. suturalis, approximately 30 mm versus under 26 mm.
Therophilus
Therophilus is a genus of koinobiont, solitary, larval endoparasitoid wasps in the family Braconidae. Members are specialized parasitoids of lepidopteran larvae, with documented associations including pest species such as Maruca vitrata (legume pod borer), Grapholita molesta (oriental fruit moth), and Epiphyas postvittana (light brown apple moth). The genus is notable for its distinctive black, red-orange, and white coloration pattern, which appears to be part of a putative mimicry complex with other braconid wasps. Several species have been evaluated or deployed as biological control agents against agricultural pests.