Mimicry in Butterflies

"Mimicry in Butterflies" by Reginald Crundall Punnett is a scientific exploration of how some butterflies evolve appearances similar to other species as a survival tactic. Punnett's work, written in the early 1900s, looks at the different ways butterflies imitate each other to ward off predators, focusing on two main types of mimicry: Batesian, where harmless species copy harmful ones, and Müllerian, where multiple dangerous species share a similar warning look. The book connects these ideas to Darwin's theory of natural selection, showing how mimicry is a key example of adaptation in the wild; it invites everyone, especially those traveling to places with lots of butterflies, to think about the amazing lives of these insects and their complex connections in nature.