A mimic is any species that has evolved to appear similar to another successful species in order to dupe predators into avoiding the mimic.
There are two types of mimics:
- Batesian mimics, where the mimic resembles the successful species but does not share the attribute that makes the successful species distasteful to predators.
- Mullerian mimics, where the mimic resembles the successful species and shares the distasteful attribute.
For example, the Aegeria moth is a Batesian mimic of the yellow jacket wasp, because it resembles the wasp, but is not capable of stinging. A predator who would thus avoid the wasp would similarly avoid the Aegeria.
On the other hand, a honeybee is a Mullerian mimic of the wasp, since both share similar appearance and coloring, and both are capable of stinging.
See also: predator
The science fiction/horror film Mimic features a species of cockroach that has evolved to resemble humans.
In many works of fiction in the science fiction and fantasy genres, a mimic is a type of shapeshifter similar to a doppelganger. For example, in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, a mimic is a creature that typically takes the form of a treasure chest or a seemingly valuable object.
