Final answer:
Bright, distinctive colors that signal toxicity in insects are called warning colors. Also known as aposematic coloration, they serve to ward off predators. Some non-toxic species also adopt these colors for protection in a strategy known as Batesian mimicry.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bright colours worn by poisonous insects serve as a warning to potential predators and are known as warning colors. This type of coloration, scientifically referred to as aposematic coloration, informs predators of the potential risk in attacking or consuming the organism. For instance, the monarch butterfly caterpillar and fire-bellied toad use bright yellow, black, and orange coloration to advertise their toxicity. Furthermore, some harmless species imitate these colors in a form of mimicry known as Batesian mimicry, gaining protection by misleading predators into believing they are also harmful.