When a zoological species imitates another species of animal, we can observe a case of mimicry. It occurs in many zoological groups, Vertebrates, especially fishes, and Invertebrates. The top is reached among Insects, and especially in species living in tropical and rain forest, where these interspecific relations (mimicry, cryptism, symbiosis, parasitism) are extremely common.

Typically, there are two kinds of mimicry:

1 - An inoffensive and edible species imitates a dangerous, poisonous or disgusting species, usually not attacked by predators, wich recognize (sometimes after some bad experiences) their colours, shapes, etc.. This kind of mimicry was studied by H.W. Bates, and it's named "Batesian mimicry". It is particularly useful to insects against birds, amphybians and reptiles. To be effective, models must be more abundant than imitating species. In other case, predators will realize the trick!

2 - Some dangerous, poisonous or disgusting species imitate one to another, reaching the same colours, shapes, etc.. In this case, called "Müllerian mimicry", the effect of warning signals of one species is strengthened by signals of all the others living in the same places. Also this system is particularly effective against the same vertebrates.

Usually, differentiating the first and second form of mimicry is not easy. They are mostly present together, and there is a gradient from inoffensive to dangerous species, and from edible to disgusting or poisonous species (it must be born in mind that some animals can eat species that can be poisonous or disgusting for others).

They are very common among Insects. Models are mostly chosen among Hymenoptera and several Coleptera, especially species containing poisonous substances (Meloidae, etc.).

Meloidae are the most imitated models by Buprestidae. The group of Mylabrini show a typical red/orange and black pattern. The same colours is used by many Buprestidae in the world: many Acmaeodera in Nearctic and, especially, Palearctic Region; many Stigmoderini (Castiarina in Australia, Conognatha and Dactylozodes in South America); several Polycestinae, etc.

Why the same colours are used in Europe, Africa, Australia, America, etc.? Probably it was produced by migratory birds. If birds during the Summer learn to stay away from red spotted black insects  while they are in Europe, they'll do the same in the cold season, in tropical Africa. This behaviour could extend an effective pattern to all the world.

Here we can see few examples of Buprestidae using these colours, compared with some poisonous or dangerous species. You can see also an image of Scolia flavifrons (Hymenoptera). Many Hymenoptera, mostly Apoidea and Vespoidea, use a similar pattern, and are imitated by many Diptera, Lepidoptera and Coleoptera (mostly Buprestidae and Cerambycidae: Clytus, Neoclytus, Chlorophorus, Plagionotus, Megacyllene, etc.). Here we have a Polystes (Hymenoptera Vespoidea) and a Megacyllene caryae (Coleoptera Cerambycidae, Clytinae).

Mylabris s.l. from Maroc	Mylabris flexuosa. from Italy	Mylabris s.l. from Zimbabwe	Meloidae sp.  from USA (TX)
Trichodes sp. from Tunisia	Scolia flavifrons  from Italy

Conognatha sowerbi from Chile	Pygicera scripta from Chile	Castiarina trifasciata from Australia	Stigmodera martini from Australia
Astraeus crassus from Australia	Cyria imperialis from Australia	Polyctesis ohkurai from Thailand	Acmaeodera amplicollis from USA (AZ)
Acmaeodera ottomana from Kriti (Greece)	Acmaeodera quadrifasciata  from Italy	Buprestis novemmaculata from Italy	Ptosima flavoguttata from Italy

Another series of Buprestidae, especially in the genus Anthaxia (mostly among Palearctic species) show a bright and shiny colouration, with green, blue, purple, gold, copper, etc..Some European entomologists supposed they imitate species of Hymenoptera Chrysididae, but there is a problem: these little and beautiful Hymenoptera are always quite rare, while the Anthaxia are usually common! We must also consider Chrysididae don't sting! But they are very fast and quick, and are very hard to be kept by predators. Small Buprtestidae living on flowers, like Anthaxia, are the same. So these bright colours cold mean: "very difficult to keep" for birds, etc.

Hedychrum nobile - Europe

Melobasis sp.	Melobasis regalis	Melobasis pyritosa	Melobasis gratiosissima
Melobasis innocua	Melobasis cuprifera	Melobasis propinqua	Melobasis ordinata
	Melobasis nitidiventris	Melobasis obscurella