How Birds are Fooled by Ladybird Mimicry and Why Spiders are Amazing

Full story: — expand to read details below! Ladybird beetles are frequently portrayed in childrens’ books and nursery rhymes, but few know that they possess noxious chemicals which wreck havoc on taste buds when consumed. In fact, they are known to emit a lingering odour when disturbed or smashed, and can ruin the taste of wine produced from the vineyards. Brighter ladybirds with distinct spots appear to taste the most rancid, leading birds to recognize these unsavory lunch targets from afar after an initial bad experience. This photo series focuses on a rare genus of spiders (Paraplectana) together with some other arthropods that may have discovered the birds’ natural avoidance of these little beetles, and have evolved to mimic ladybird beetles to achieve the same effect. The mimicry is amazingly good and had quite a lot of people fooled! Full story and more photos: