Mimicry-model
Guides
Azya orbigera
globe-marked lady beetle
Azya orbigera, commonly known as the globe-marked lady beetle, is a small lady beetle species in the family Coccinellidae. It is distinguished by its unusual cobalt blue coloration and dense dorsal pubescence, which contrast sharply with the typical red-and-black pattern of most lady beetles. Adults measure 2.90–4.25 mm in length and possess a yellow head with greenish-black dorsum and a characteristic round discal spot on each elytron. The species has a broad distribution across North America, Oceania, and South America, with two recognized subspecies.
Camponotus planatus
compact carpenter ant, short carpenter ant
Camponotus planatus is a Neotropical carpenter ant species characterized by polygynous colony structure—one of only three Camponotus species known to maintain multiple queens per colony. The species exhibits a distinctive compact body form and has been documented as an invasive species spreading in Florida and Texas. Workers display kin discrimination based on matrilineal relatedness, with division of labor organized along queen lineages within colonies. The species serves as a model for Batesian and Wassmanian mimicry by multiple arthropod species, and has been observed tending the endangered Miami blue butterfly caterpillar in Florida.
Ceropales nigripes
Ceropales nigripes is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, described by Cresson in 1867. The genus Ceropales comprises kleptoparasitic spider wasps that lay eggs in spiders already captured and paralyzed by other spider wasp species. This species has been observed in Colorado Springs and may serve as a visual model for mimicry by the ichneumon wasp Ceratogastra ornata.
Hemipepsis
tarantula hawks, Old and New World Tarantula-hawk Wasps
Hemipepsis is a genus of large spider wasps in the family Pompilidae, commonly known as tarantula hawks. The genus contains approximately 180 species distributed throughout tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, with significant diversity in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Hemipepsis wasps are distinguished from the related genus Pepsis by subtle differences in wing venation patterns. In South Africa, Hemipepsis wasps serve as exclusive pollinators for 18 plant species across three families (Apocynaceae, Orchidaceae, and Asparagaceae subfamily Scilloodeae). The genus has been extensively studied for its complex male territorial behavior, particularly in the North American species H. ustulata.
Lyconotus
Lyconotus is a genus of net-winged beetles in the family Lycidae. The genus contains a single described species, L. lateralis. Net-winged beetles are characterized by their soft, flexible elytra with distinct net-like venation patterns. Members of this genus are found in North America, with observations documented from Florida and other southeastern states.
Papilionidae
Swallowtails and Parnassians, Swallowtail butterflies
Papilionidae is a family of large, colorful butterflies comprising over 550 species distributed across every continent except Antarctica. The family includes the birdwing butterflies of genus Ornithoptera, the largest butterflies in the world. Members are characterized by distinctive tail-like extensions on the hindwings in many species. The family encompasses three subfamilies: Papilioninae (swallowtails), Parnassiinae (Parnassians or Apollos), and Baroniinae (a monotypic subfamily).
Pepsis mexicana
Mexican tarantula-hawk wasp
Pepsis mexicana is a species of tarantula hawk wasp in the family Pompilidae. Females hunt and paralyze large theraphosid spiders to provision nests for their larvae. The species is notable for its relatively small size compared to other Pepsis species and its distinctive wing markings. Both sexes feed on nectar from flowering plants.
Pseudomethoca athamas
Pseudomethoca athamas is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae. The species is found in western North America, specifically in California, Oregon, and Baja California. Like other mutillids, females are wingless and males are winged. The genus Pseudomethoca includes species that have been proposed as models for mimicry by checkered beetles (family Cleridae), particularly the orange-banded checkered beetle Enoclerus ichneumoneus.
Pseudomethoca bequaerti
Pseudomethoca bequaerti is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae. Velvet ants are actually solitary wasps, with females being wingless and often brightly colored with aposematic coloration. The genus Pseudomethoca is part of a diverse group of mutillids found in North America.
Pseudomethoca flammigera
Pseudomethoca flammigera is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae (order Hymenoptera). The genus Pseudomethoca contains species that are frequently suggested as models for mimicry complexes involving other insects, particularly checkered beetles in the family Cleridae. As with other mutillids, females are wingless and males are winged. The species is known from very limited observation records.
Pseudomethoca oceola
Pseudomethoca oceola is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae, order Hymenoptera. Like other mutillids, females are wingless and possess a potent sting, while males are winged. The genus Pseudomethoca contains species that are often proposed as models for mimicry by checkered beetles (Cleridae), particularly in the genus Enoclerus.
Pseudomethoca oculata
Pseudomethoca oculata is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae (order Hymenoptera). Velvet ants are actually flightless female wasps, not true ants. The genus Pseudomethoca includes species that serve as potential models for Müllerian or Batesian mimicry complexes involving other insects, particularly beetles in the family Cleridae. Observations of this species are documented in iNaturalist, though detailed biological information appears limited in published sources.
Pseudomethoca sanbornii
Pseudomethoca sanbornii is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae, a group of solitary wasps known for their aposematic coloration and powerful sting. Females are wingless and ant-like in appearance, while males possess wings. The species occurs across much of the eastern and central United States. Like other mutillids, females are reportedly capable of delivering a painful sting, though they are not aggressive and sting only in defense.
Timulla
velvet ants
Timulla is a genus of velvet ants (family Mutillidae) comprising nearly 200 described species. These solitary wasps exhibit pronounced sexual dimorphism: females are wingless and often brightly colored with dense velvety pubescence, while males are winged. The genus occurs across the Americas and has been documented as a parasitoid of solitary bees and other ground-nesting insects. Some Timulla species serve as models for Müllerian or Batesian mimicry complexes, notably with ground spiders in the genus Sergiolus.
Timulla barbata
Timulla barbata is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae. Velvet ants are wingless female wasps known for their dense, velvety pubescence and potent sting. The genus Timulla is frequently cited as a model for mimicry by spiders in the genus Sergiolus, particularly S. capulatus. T. barbata inhabits sun-dappled patches in deciduous forest floors and similar open, dry habitats.
Timulla barbigera
velvet ant
Timulla barbigera is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae. Velvet ants are actually wingless wasps, with females being entirely wingless and males possessing wings. The genus Timulla is frequently imitated by ground spiders in the genus Sergiolus, which share similar coloration and habitat preferences. These insects are known for their potent sting and are often encountered in sun-dappled forest floor habitats.
Timulla cyllene
Timulla cyllene is a species of wingless wasp in the family Mutillidae, commonly known as velvet ants. Females are apterous (wingless) and possess a potent sting, a trait shared across the family. The species is part of a genus frequently involved in Müllerian or Batesian mimicry complexes, with some spiders such as Sergiolus capulatus bearing striking resemblance to Timulla species.
Timulla dubitata
Timulla dubitata is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae. The species was described by Smith in 1855. Like other members of the genus Timulla, females are wingless while males possess wings. The species is part of a group of velvet ants that are mimicked by certain ground spiders in the genus Sergiolus.
Timulla ferrugata
velvet ant
Timulla ferrugata is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae, found in the southeastern United States. Females are wingless and wasp-like in appearance, while males possess wings. The species is known for its aposematic orange and brown coloration. Despite their common name, velvet ants are actually solitary wasps, not ants.
Timulla floridensis
Timulla floridensis is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae. The species was proposed in a 1980 Ph.D. dissertation by Sigurd Leopold Szerlip but remains officially undescribed and nomenclaturally invalid because the dissertation was never formally published. As a member of the genus Timulla, it is a wingless female wasp (males have wings) with a potent sting. The species is associated with Florida, where it frequents sun-dappled patches on the floor of deciduous forests.
Timulla grotei
Timulla grotei is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae. Like other members of this genus, females are wingless and wasp-like in appearance, while males possess wings. The genus Timulla is known for species that are frequently mimicked by spiders in the genus Sergiolus, which share similar bold coloration patterns. This particular species occurs in North America and is one of numerous Timulla species documented in the region.
Timulla hollensis
Timulla hollensis is a species of wingless wasp in the family Mutillidae, commonly known as velvet ants. The species is part of a genus noted for aposematic coloration and a potent sting. Males are winged while females are wingless and ant-like in appearance. The species has been documented in the eastern United States, with observations spanning multiple states.
Timulla oajaca
Timulla oajaca is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae, a group of wingless wasps known for their potent sting and aposematic coloration. The genus Timulla is frequently cited as a model for Müllerian mimicry complexes in North America, with spiders in the genus Sergiolus (Gnaphosidae) among their documented visual mimics. Like all mutillids, females are wingless while males possess wings. The species name refers to Oaxaca, Mexico, suggesting a geographic association with this region.
Timulla suspensa
Timulla suspensa is a species of wingless wasp in the family Mutillidae, commonly known as velvet ants. Females are wingless and ant-like in appearance, while males possess wings. The species is part of a genus that includes species known for their potent sting and aposematic coloration, often featuring red and black patterning that serves as warning coloration to predators.
Timulla vagans
velvet ant
Timulla vagans is a species of velvet ant (family Mutillidae) distributed across North America including the United States, Mexico, and Canada. As with all velvet ants, females are wingless and wasp-like in appearance, while males possess wings. The species exhibits the characteristic dense, velvety pubescence that gives the family its common name.