The importance of pattern on the reaction of avian predator to protected aposematic prey

This study deals with importance of spots in the firebugs' wild-type pattern (Pyrrhocoris apterus) as a warning signal. Firebugs, that were carrying paper stickers with modified color pattern, were offered to great tits (Parus major). Pattern was modified in the purpose to test the necessity of black round spots on the firebugs{\crq} hemielytra. None of modified firebugs has been eaten, and only scarcely has been attacked. However, there were minimum differences between particular modifications of pattern