Question

Viceroy butterfly resembles monarch butterfly. It is an example of

• A. Concealing type protective mimicry
• B. Warning type protective mimicry
• C. Alluring type aggressive mimicry
• D. Concealing type aggressive mimicry

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Warning type protective mimicry

Mimicry can be classified into three types, namely protective mimicry, aggressive mimicry and conscious mimicry. Protective mimicry is of two types, warning type and concealing type. Aggressive mimicry is of two types, concealing and alluring type. Protective mimicry helps the animals to protect themselves from predators or enemies. It is responsible for the camouflage. In warning type protective mimicry, the animal mimics the harmful creatures. Hence, it helps in self defense as it frightens the enemies. Viceroy butterfly resembles Monarch butterfly is an example of it. In this, viceroy butterfly mimics the unpalatable and toxic species Monarch butterfly to avoid predation. This type of mimicry is also called as Batesian mimicry.

Thus, the correct answer is 'Warning type protective mimicry.'