Even in nature there are awkward processions

Divers processions have been the topic of conversation again. In addition to humans, other animals also tend to form groups with like-minded people.

Even processions.

In southern Europe, the habit of some butterfly caterpillars to gather in public places and march in a long hose has long been a cause for concern.

The wise man stays as far away from this procession as possible, because the participants in this march tend to cause very serious irritation.

Big parade spinner (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) is perhaps the best-known species of caterpillars marching in line. Larvae live and develop in conifers and pop pine needles. In spring, they descend to the ground and begin their long march.

One caterpillar takes the lead and the others line up behind it in a neat line. There can be dozens of larvae in one procession. Bugs are harmful because they are covered all over with small and prickly hairs.

Hair sticks everywhere and can even cause life-threatening allergic reactions. It really doesn’t improve to touch the procession with a long stick.

A roller spinner is sometimes used as a metaphor for the longing for a strong leader and authority. After all, the caterpillars obediently follow the hose puller and march after him, for example, to the jorpakko.

Entomologist Jean-Henri Fabre did a famous experiment a hundred years ago, where he watched larvae go around the same circle for several days straight.

The caterpillars had managed to climb into a large flower pot and Fabre made a trap for them. He wiped the sides of the pot clean so that the caterpillars wouldn’t find the scent that led them to the pot.

Thus, the larvae circled in the pot for no less than a week, until one of them flashed. This exceptional individual managed to look critically at the situation as if from “outside the box” and walked over the edge. Finally, the unfortunate hose found its way to freedom.

To Finland this kind of movement has not yet spread, although a somewhat similar pine vagrant movement already exists in Sweden.