Mimicry in butterflies and the Riddle of the wing Colour and Pattern

I have always wondered about the mimicry in butterflies, how two butterfly species have evolved exactly the same striking wing colour and pattern.

 For years, scientists have pondered whether when different species evolve to look the same, they have a common genetic mechanism. Because there are thousands of genes in the butterflies' genome, most scientists felt it was unlikely that the same genes should be involved.  Now Scientists at Cambridge have cracked the riddle. The Cambridge led study suggest that despite the many thousands of genes in the genome of butterflies there is only one or two that are useful for changing this colour pattern.

 Results of the study appears in the latest issue of journal PLoS Genetics

 Müllerian mimicry happens when two poisonous or unpalatable species evolve to look the same. Batesian mimicry happens when an edible species evolve to look like a species that is toxic or unpleasant to eat.