““I’m Not A Moral Backbone, Per Say. I’m More Of A Moral Appendix. I’m Here, But I’m Apparently

Yellowjacket-Mimicking Moth: this is just a harmless moth that mimics the appearance and behavior of a yellowjacket/wasp; its disguise is so convincing that it can even fool actual wasps

This species (Myrmecopsis polistes) may be one of the most impressive wasp-mimics in the world. The moth's narrow waist, teardrop-shaped abdomen, black-and-yellow patterning, transparent wings, smooth appearance, and folded wing position all mimic the features of a wasp. Unlike an actual wasp, however, it does not have any mandibles or biting/chewing mouthparts, because it's equipped with a proboscis instead, and it has noticeably "feathery" antennae.

There are many moths that use hymenopteran mimicry (the mimicry of bees, wasps, yellowjackets, hornets, and/or bumblebees, in particular) as a way to deter predators, and those mimics are often incredibly convincing. Myrmecopsis polistes is one of the best examples, but there are several other moths that have also mastered this form of mimicry.

Above: Pseudosphex laticincta, another moth species that mimics a yellowjacket

These disguises often involve more than just a physical resemblance; in many cases, the moths also engage in behavioral and/or acoustic mimicry, meaning that they can mimic the sounds and behaviors of their hymenopteran models. In some cases, the resemblance is so convincing that it even fools actual wasps/yellowjackets.

Above: Pseudosphex laticincta

Such a detailed and intricate disguise is unusual even among mimics. Researchers believe that it developed partly as a way for the moth to trick actual wasps into treating it like one of their own. Wasps frequently prey upon moths, but they are innately non-aggressive toward their own fellow nest-mates, which are identified by sight -- so if the moth can convincingly impersonate one of those nest-mates, then it can avoid being eaten by wasps.

Above: Pseudosphex laticincta

I gave an overview of the moths that mimic bees, wasps, yellowjackets, hornets, and bumblebees in one of my previous posts, but I felt that these two species (Myrmecopsis polistes and Pseudosphex laticincta) deserved to have their own dedicated post, because these are two of the most convincing mimics I have ever seen.

Above: Pseudosphex sp.

I think that moths in general are probably the most talented mimics in the natural world. They have so many intricate, unique disguises, and they often combine visual, behavioral, and acoustic forms of mimicry in order to produce an uncanny resemblance.

Several of these incredible mimics have already been featured on my blog: moths that mimic jumping spiders, a moth that mimics a broken birch twig, a moth caterpillar that can mimic a snake, a moth that disguises itself as two flies feeding on a pile of bird droppings, a moth that mimics a dried-up leaf, a moth that can mimic a cuckoo bee, and a moth that mimics the leaves of a poplar tree.

Moths are just so much more interesting than people generally realize.

Sources & More Info:

Journal of Ecology and Evolution: A Hypothesis to Explain Accuracy of Wasp Resemblances

Entomology Today: In Enemy Garb: A New Explanation for Wasp Mimicry

iNaturalist: Myrmecopsis polistes and Pseudosphex laticincta

Transactions of the Entomological Society of London: A Few Observations on Mimicry

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Ace Attorney has a reputation for "No, your client can't be declared innocent unless you prove SOMEONE ELSE DID THE CRIME. That's the rules." And I don't think that's entirely fair.

But sometimes, man. Some fucking times that reputation is spot on.

Most of its cases are carefully sculpted to preserve some sense of ambiguity as to your client's provable involvement. You can craft a scenario in court that says your client was unconscious in a back room, but you're not given the ability to prove that. AA cases operate on the backfoot, with the prosecution laying out a clear and concise case for "They did it" and the attorney struggling to unwind it.

Finding the killer usually serves simultaneously as the clincher that absolves your client. Instead of "Your client didn't do it BUT WE'LL CONVICT THEM ANYWAY if you can't find someone else who did," it becomes a more clear-cut argument of "My client couldn't have done it because this guy did it instead."

...

And then there's shit like

So we're agreed! The evidence has shown that the defendant was on the other side of a gigantic, impassible ravine from where the murder took place. Therefore, it would be physically impossible for them to even have been present for the murder, let alone the perpetrator of the crime.

So. We're done here, right?

Mmm... no. I'm invested in the plot now. I want to see where this is going.

This fucking justice system, I swear.

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