Archaeologists have described a new species of spider that disguises itself as a victim infected by a parasitic fungus in order to avoid predators. This discovery broadens our understanding of mimicry in the animal kingdom.
Some butterfly caterpillars use not only chemical but also acoustic signals, mimicking the rhythms of ants to blend into their colonies and gain protection and food. This rhythm helps them be recognized as “one of their own” and survive inside the anthill.
Research has shown that some rove beetles, in order to survive among ants, deactivate the genes responsible for their protective layer and are forced to steal it from their hosts. This specialization makes them completely dependent on the ant colony.