Nature Podcast 3D-printed fake wasps help explain bad animal mimicry
Jul 2, 2025
Christopher Taylor from the University of Nottingham joins to discuss the fascinating world of animal mimicry. He reveals how 3D-printed insect models are used to understand why some harmless creatures mimic dangerous ones imperfectly. Their research shows that while birds are less fooled, invertebrates struggle to distinguish the mimics, shedding light on evolutionary shaping of mimicry. Plus, hear insights on unusual topics like killer whales using kelp as grooming tools and sea slugs that harness solar energy from stolen chloroplasts.
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Why Imperfect Mimics Persist
- Imperfect animal mimicry exists because different predators have varying abilities to discern mimics. - Birds require high accuracy, while invertebrates can be fooled by less accurate mimics.
3D Printing Mimics Reveals Predator Learning
- 3D printing allows creation of realistic insect mimics along a scale from fly to wasp. - Wild birds learn to distinguish mimics from wasps over weeks, ignoring accurate wasps.
Birds Rely on Colour and Size
- Birds mainly use colour and size cues to identify wasps, ignoring shape and pattern details. - Mimics can succeed if they closely match wasp colour and size, less so for shape or pattern.