Data for: How does viewing angle affect the perceived accuracy of Batesian mimicry in hoverflies?

Despite Batesian mimicry often eliciting predator avoidance, many Batesian mimics, such as some species of hoverfly (Syrphidae), are considered to have an “imperfect” resemblance to their model. One possible explanation for the persistence of apparently imperfect mimicry is that human perceptions of mimicry are different from those of natural predators. Natural predators of hoverflies have different visual and cognitive systems from humans, and they may encounter mimics differently. For example, whilst humans often encounter hoverflies at rest on vegetation, or in photographs or textbooks, where they are typically viewed from above, natural predators may approach hoverflies from the side or below. To test how viewing angle affects the perception of mimicry, images of mimetic hoverflies and their models (wasps and bees) were shown from different angles in an online survey. Participants were asked to distinguish between the images of models and mimics. The results show that the viewing an..., Insect specimens and photography
Insect specimens were collected between June 2020 and August 2021 from various locations in the East Midlands (UK), using a hand net. Species were selected opportunistically from those that were most abundant at our field sites. Specimens were euthanized by freezing at -18°C for approximately 30 minutes. They were then pinned through the thorax and positioned into a natural-looking posture before drying for 6-24 hours. Specimens were suspended, with the anterior uppermost, on a motorized turntable (Syrp Genie II), positioned against a white background, and lit indirectly using two LED panel lights (22W, 5600K; Pixapro, Brierley Hill, UK). They were photographed using a DSLR camera (Canon EOS 600D) and macro lens (Tamron SP 90mm) with F20, 1/6s exposure, and ISO400. Each specimen was photographed from nine different viewing angles – three different vertical camera positions (vertical angle) at each of three equally spaced turntable orientations (rotationa..., , # Data for: How does viewing angle affect the perceived accuracy of Batesian mimicry in hoverflies?

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.15dv41p53](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.15dv41p53)

This dataset comprises the raw data obtained from a survey that asked participants to identify wasps, bees, hoverflies, and non-mimetic flies from different viewing angles.

## Description of the data and file structure

The data consists of one Excel spreadsheet. 

Column A - The response number. 146 responses to the survey were obtained in total.

Columns B-AF - The responses to the questions. Each participant was shown 30 photos of wasps, bees, non-mimetic flies, and hoverflies. The photos were in two groups, a wasp group and a bee group. When shown the wasp group, the participant would see 18 photos, one after the other, of wasps, wasp-mimicking hoverflies, and a control non-mimetic fly, all shown from one viewing angle. The angle the images were from was randomised for each participant. For each phot...,