The flower fly resembles a honeybee, but the flower fly has no stinger. This is an example of what natural phenomenon?

• A. Müllerian mimicry
• B. Cryptic coloration
• C. Interspecific competition
• D. None of the listed responses is correct.
• E. Batesian mimicry

Answer: (E)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of mimicry in biology, which is when one species evolves to resemble another species.
2. Differentiate between Batesian and Müllerian mimicry. Batesian mimicry involves a harmless species imitating a harmful one, while Müllerian mimicry involves two harmful species resembling each other.
3. Identify the characteristics of the flower fly and the honeybee. The flower fly is harmless and lacks a stinger, while the honeybee is harmful due to its stinger.
4. Recognize that the flower fly is mimicking the honeybee to avoid predators, despite being harmless itself.
5. Conclude that this scenario is an example of Batesian mimicry, where a harmless species mimics a harmful one to gain protection from predators.