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Evolutionary biology

Butterfly mimics of ants

Nature volume 432, pages 283–284 (2004)Cite this article

Large blue butterflies are notable for their rarity and ability to dupe ants, and they are endangered. A genetic reconstruction of how social parasitism evolved among them will overturn conservation priorities.

Ants are such formidable predators that perhaps 100,000 other species of insect have evolved mechanisms to coexist with them1. Adaptations include armour to resist attack, mimicry to avoid detection, and secretions such as honeydew to feed or appease them2. In general, both partners benefit: in return for honeydew, the ants protect aphids from enemies. But natural selection can also favour cheats. It is a short evolutionary step from possessing the attributes to live safely among ants to deploying them against a colony.

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Figure 1: A cuckoo butterfly.

J.A. THOMAS

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology's Dorset Laboratory, Winfrith Technology Centre, Dorchester, DT2 8ZD, UK

    Jeremy A. Thomas

  2. Department of Community Ecology, UFZ Leipzig-Halle, Theodor-Lieser-Str. 4, Halle/Saale, 06120, Germany

    Josef Settele

Authors
  1. Jeremy A. Thomas
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  2. Josef Settele
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Thomas, J., Settele, J. Butterfly mimics of ants. Nature 432, 283–284 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/432283a

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