Oviposition-site mimicry

Abstract Of all the floral mimicry systems covered in this book, oviposition-site mimicry is probably the most widespread (in terms of geography and the number of plant species and lineages represented) and the most diverse (in terms of floral signals). It is also the most under-appreciated system of floral mimicry and is certainly less well known than floral sexual mimicry. The widespread phenomenon of floral oviposition-site mimicry includes mimicry of fruit, carrion, feces and fungal substrates that are used by insects as brood sites. Chemical signals are key in all of these systems, but there is also evidence for combined effects of chemical and visual signals (in other words multimodal signals).