Maculinea rebeli: Smells like an ant, sounds like an ant but is not an ant!
The larvae and pupae of Maculinea rebeli (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), a threatened blue butterfly, produce a scent made by red ant larvae (Myrmica sp.) allowing them to infiltrate the nest. Researchers found that the larvae and pupae also make a ticking sound which mimics the song of a red ant queen, causing the ant workers to give the developing butterfly preferential treatment and protection (Barbero et al, 2009).
The original article (abstract only) was published in Science but you can read a summary on the New Scientist website.
Reference:
Barbero F., Thomas J.A., Bonelli S., Balletto E. and Schönrogge K. (2009) Queen Ants Make Distinctive Sounds That Are Mimicked by a Butterfly Social Parasite. Science 323: 782-785
Tags: Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae, Maculinea rebeli, mimicry, Myrmica sp., parasitism
