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Why do some butterflies mimic their neighboring species?

Some butterfly species mimic their neighboring poisonous species to ward off the predators. They often mimic their neighboring species by copying the latter’s color pattern, along with producing an unpleasant smell and taste.

Birds and other predators that are familiar with the warning patterns or bright colors of the harmful species mistakes these imitator-butterflies for their harmful counterparts and go away. 

One such species of butterflies which is good at mimicking is the Ecuador small postman butterfly, which imitates its equally poisonous rainforest neighbor the Ecuador postman butterfly. 

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