The Blue Jay and the Monarch Butterfly
By the Writer
Socratease
What Are Stereotypes?
First, it’s important that we establish what stereotypes are. The NHS defines them as, “… an exaggerated belief, image or distorted truth about a person or group. It is a generalisation that does not account for individual differences” [1]. They also go on to say that stereotypes can be both positive and negative — my views align with that. They can help us at work, socially, and sometimes, they keep us alive.
Stereotypes Support Survival
Let me explain my thought process behind this. It involves insects and animals, and we’re going to make a comparison.
There’s no smoke without fire. Stereotypes can save us.
Some, but Not All
Many insects and animals use colouration to warn predators. It’s their way of saying, “Back off, or else.” It’s called aposematism.
“Aposematism is defined as a defensive strategy where prey display warning signals, such as bright colouration, to indicate toxicity and deter potential predators” [2].
Four examples of aposematism:
Red — Strawberry Poison Dart Frogs store poisonous compounds in the glands in their skin and release them when they feel threatened [3].
Yellow — Yellowjacket Hornets have a very painful sting and defend their nests aggressively [4].
Orange — Monarch Butterflies feed on milkweed, which is rich in toxins, causing predators to vomit [5].
Blue — Blue-Ringed Octopuses flash neon-blue rings when threatened, with a bite that can be lethal to humans [6].
There are many animals and insects with the same colours that aren’t poisonous at all like the Milk Snake (red), Drone Fly (yellow and black), the Viceroy Butterfly (orange), and the Blue Milkweed Beetle (blue).
Some, but not all, use bright or dull colours to protect themselves. Birds, mammals, and reptiles, for example, learn to avoid these poisonous creatures over time.
Is It Pattern Recognition?
Visual contrast. Research shows that some colours have a high contrast against backdrops like leaves and soil. Predators spot these striking colours and realise they’re unusual [7]. In a way, that is similar to humans — we often fear the unknown.
Trial and error. Dr Lincoln Brower’s experiments in 1967, showed a blue jay vomiting after eating a monarch butterfly. He realised that the blue jay learned to avoid the monarch in future [8]. Humans also learn from experiences such as personal encounters or media narratives — it’s called social conditioning.
Innate fear. It has been evidenced that some animals with zero bad experience of a specific poisonous animal or insect, know to avoid them. In 1975, Dr Susan M. Smith’s experiments showed inexperienced motmot birds experiencing an instinctive, genetic dread of red and yellow ring patterns mimicking lethal coral snakes [9]. This is evolution. Humans tend to have an instinctive fear of snakes and spiders.
Pattern recognition causes evolution and continues through it. This is one way that predators and prey protect themselves.
How Does This Link to Stereotypes?
I’ve often thought about it this way — the same way a blue jay knows that a monarch caterpillar causes sickness, we may see a person or group of people and feel we’re at risk. A feeling isn’t a fact, but it represents something learned, and yes, it could be offensive.
If we see young boys in balaclavas, we may think they’re going to try to rob us. It’s a stereotype.
I’m not saying all stereotypes are accurate. But if I have to choose between ignoring a stereotype for the greater good or leaning into one to protect myself, I know what my choice will be.
Of course, stereotypes are not the same as aposematism, but both require visual and behavioural cues to make an immediate judgement. Animals and humans have triggers, make assumptions, and make fast decisions, behaving in accordance with learned experiences. It’s a conceptual comparison and proves, to some degree, that stereotypes can be beneficial.
A Deepening Nuance
We all have our own idiosyncratic view of the world. Animals perceive colours differently. Birds see more colours, and snakes see in a unique set of shades [10]. Humans may look at specific groups and form an opinion completely different from someone else. That’s ok.
We know that people don’t see the same, feel the same, or act the same. That’s why stereotypes are not always accurate. Autonomous individuals exist, with their own perspectives, opinions, and beliefs. Who are we to say someone is something they’re not?
Stereotypes can apply to many categories, such as gender and sex, ethnicity, age, and socioeconomic status. Communication allows us to break positive or negative stereotypes and learn about the individual in front of us.
Treating someone poorly because of a stereotype is narrow-minded and deeply unkind. We shouldn’t belittle, upset, intimidate, or hate unnecessarily. We may assume, but I don't believe we should accuse or act on it unless we feel we are in immediate danger. Acting on it could simply mean deciding to walk in a different direction.
My view is that we should lean into stereotypes if it is a matter of survival. They can give us an understanding of what to avoid, a higher chance of prevention, and a greater likelihood of survival.
Sources:
[1] NHS: Stereotypes and prejudice
[2] Science Direct: Aposematism definition
[3] Ecological Society of America: Strawberry poison frogs feed their babies poison eggs
[4] WebMD: What to Know About Yellow Jackets
[5] National Geographic: Monarchs are actually toxic—and 5 other ways the butterflies unsettle and amaze us
[6] National History Museum: The blue-ringed octopus: small, vibrant and exceptionally deadly
[7] Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution: Colour contrast and stability as key elements for effective warning signals
[8] Science Friday: The Case Of The Barfing Blue Jay
[9] JSTOR: Innate Recognition of Coral Snake Pattern by a Possible Avian Predator
[10] Smithsonian Magazine: How Do Tropical Frogs Get Their Stunning Colours?