Aggressive mimicry is a form of
mimicry in which
predators,
parasites or
parasitoids share similar
signals with a harmless model, allowing them to avoid being correctly identified by their prey or
host. In its broadest sense, it could include various types of exploitation, as when an orchid exploits a male insect by mimicking a sexually receptive female (see
pseudocopulation), but will here be restricted to forms of exploitation involving feeding. An alternative term
Peckhamian mimicry (after
George and Elizabeth Peckham) has also been suggested, but it is seldom used. The metaphor of a
wolf in sheep's clothing can be used as an analogy, but with the caveat that mimics are not
intentionally deceiving their prey. For example,
indigenous Australians who dress up as and imitate
kangaroos when
hunting would not be considered aggressive mimics, nor would a human
angler. Treated separately is
molecular mimicry, which also shares some similarity; for instance a
virus may mimic the molecular properties of its host, allowing it access to its cells.