Thus, two mocker swallowtails may look very different from one another. In an interesting twist, male mocker swallowtails never mimic other species. Patterns and structures on butterfly wings may mimic many things. Scientists have recently suggested that the patterns on the edges of butterfly wings resemble caterpillars. When a bird pecks at what it sees as a larva, it targets the edge of the wing and allows the butterfly to break away.
Hairstreak butterflies have false antennae and spots on the rear of their wings.
Birds peck at the wrong end in an attempt to grab the head, and once again the butterfly can tear away and escape. Other insects also use mimicry to their advantage. For instance, there is a moth that mimics the leg movements and threat postures of a spider, and a spider that mimics both the appearance, movements and color of a stinging, distasteful ant. Because honey bees are able to defend themselves with a sting, animals usually leave them alone. Many other insects mimic bees and wasps.