Mimicry in animals is a common form of protection from predators. For instance, two distasteful or toxic butterflies may mimic each other for mutual defense, as the viceroy and monarch butterflies do.

A plant is the first ever to be seen mimicking ants to attract pollinators. The species of dogbane imitates the smell of injured insects to entice flies. Researchers discovered that Vincetoxicum ...

For the first time, scientists have documented a plant that mimics the smell of injured ants to attract pollinators. A dogbane species native to Japan, releases chemical compounds that match the odor ...

Two natural scientists at Macquarie University, working with an evolutionary specialist at the University of New South Wales, all in Australia, have found that imperfect mimicry in spiders and insects ...

A species of tiny, colorful jumping spider employs two lines of defense to avoid being eaten: camouflaging with plants and walking like an ant. Researchers report May 17 in the journal iScience that ...

Across Japan’s mountain forests, a modest greenish-brown flower hides an extraordinary secret. Vincetoxicum nakaianum, a perennial herb native to central and northern Honshu, has evolved an unusual ...

A plant is the first ever to be seen mimicking ants to attract pollinators. The species of dogbane imitates the smell of injured insects to entice flies. Researchers discovered that Vincetoxicum ...

Vincetoxicum nakaianum flowering in the natural habitat. (Mochizuki 2025 via SWNS) By Stephen Beech A plant is the first ever to be seen mimicking ants to attract pollinators. The species of dogbane ...