Territorial animals instinctively protect their lawns when facing intruders, regardless of size.
The Waltibirch caterpillar patrols one of the smallest territories on the planet – the tips of birch leaves. Scientists have observed these caterpillars vibrating loudly to ward off intruders from their tiny domain.
“It’s like a rap fight,” said Jane Yack, a professor at Carlton University in Ottawa and a research author. Released on Tuesday In the Journal of Experimental Biology.
Dr. Yack’s team was the first to observe insects protecting the tips of their leaves, revealing a world of territorial conflicts on a small scale. These caterpillars are the smallest territorial rulers ever identified.
Warty Birch caterpillars exhibit unconventional behavior. They settle at the tips of leaves from birth, adopting a unique resting position. While other caterpillars defend their territories later in development, they are not as exposed as the Walticabano.
Dr. Yack and her team observed the behavior of these caterpillars and their unique strategies for survival, including creating vibration signals to mark their territory.
In encounters with rival caterpillars, resident Warty Birch caterpillars escalated their territorial signals to deter intruders from crossing boundaries.
Newborn caterpillars defend their territories with unique strategies, including using silk thread to escape encounters with intruders. They also exhibit the ability to distinguish signals from different sources.
Dr. Yack’s research sheds light on caterpillar communication and territorial conflicts, highlighting the importance of territorial behavior in various animal species.
Source: www.nytimes.com