A male Australian jewel beetle thinks he has found the perfect mate. When the Western Australian beer industry unintentionally produced bottles that mimicked the shiny brown sheen of the female jewel beetle, the males found themselves in what researchers refer to as an `evolutionary trap’.

The Australian crab spider (Thomisus spectabilis), does not build webs, but instead lies in wait for its lunch from the safety of a flower. It advertises its presence by reflecting ultraviolet (UV) light.

For the introduced European honeybee, this UV light acts as an irresistible lure that attracts the bees towards the spiders.

Australian tongue orchids (Cryptostylis), for example, have evolved to mimic the scents and appearance of female wasps (Lissopimpla excelsa), in order to trick male wasps into spreading their pollen.