A surprising discovery in the grass: when nature surprises us
It was a quiet afternoon, the kind where the sunlight casts a warm, golden hue on the lawn and the air seems calm and peaceful. I was walking in my garden, lost in thought, when something unusual caught my eye among the blades of grass.
At first glance, it looked like an abandoned rope, loosely wound and motionless on the ground. Intrigued, I approached, curiosity mingling with a creeping feeling of unease.
Was it just a rope? Or something else?
As I approached, I noticed a subtle movement, barely noticeable, but enough to get my pulse beating. The object moved, almost pulsated. A terrifying thought crossed my mind: Could it be a snake?
The unveiling: a procession of caterpillars
With my heart pounding and my phone in hand, I cautiously moved closer to capture this mysterious sight. And then, he revealed himself.
To my surprise – and relief – it wasn’t a rope. Nor a snake.
It was a long, coordinated line of caterpillars – about 150 of them – moving together in unison. A living, undulating thread that weaves through the grass, each caterpillar following the next with unwavering commitment. It was fascinating. Good looking. Surreal.
This behavior, I later learned, is known as “crawler undercarriage.”
What is a crawler train?
This fascinating behavior is often seen in species like the pine processionary caterpillar, which is known for its habit of moving in tight lines and single file. It’s not just a curious oddity, 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.
Teamwork Navigation: The lead tracks deposit a trail of pheromones, chemical signals that guide others.
Group cohesion: Following this scent trail helps the caterpillars stay together and move as one, reducing the chances of losing stragglers.
It is a remarkable demonstration of coordination and instinct. What looks like a simple crawl is actually a sophisticated system of communication and survival.
