It was a quiet afternoon, one of those when the sunlight casts a warm golden hue on the lawn and the air is still and peaceful. I was walking in my yard, lost in thought, when something unusual caught my eye among the blades of grass.
At first glance, it looked like an abandoned rope, loosely coiled and motionless on the ground. Intrigued, I approached, my curiosity mingling with a growing sense of uneasiness.
Was it just a rope? Or something else?
As I got closer, I noticed a subtle movement, barely perceptible, but enough to make my heart race. The object was moving, almost pulsating. A terrifying thought crossed my mind: could it be a snake?
The inauguration: a procession of caterpillars
With my heart pounding and my phone in hand, I cautiously approached to capture that mysterious sight. And then, it revealed itself.
To my surprise and relief, it wasn’t a rope. Nor even a snake.
It was a long, coordinated line of caterpillars —about 150—moving in unison. A living, wavy thread unfurling through the grass, each caterpillar following the one before it with unwavering commitment. It was mesmerizing. Beautiful. Surreal.
This behavior, as I later discovered, is known as “caterpillar train.”
What is a Caterpillar train?
This fascinating behavior is often observed in species such as the pine processionary moth , known for its habit of moving in single file. It’s not just a curious quirk: it’s a brilliant survival strategy.
Here’s why they do it:
Protection in numbers : A long, moving line makes the group appear larger and more intimidating to predators.
Navigating through teamwork : Caterpillars drive a trail of pheromones , chemical signals that guide others.
Group cohesion : Following this scent trail helps caterpillars stay together and move as one, reducing the chances of stragglers getting lost.
It’s an extraordinary display of coordination and instinct. What appears to be simple crawling is actually a sophisticated system of communication and survival.
