The Caterpillar Train

Published on by bushboy

I thought I would do a reblog of an old post for the Ragtag Daily Prompt: Trail

I will do a bit of an edit as there was a mistake in the original

A while ago I commented how my girls liked to make the caterpillar train go into a circle. Well, yesterday, driving home, on the road outside of my place, a caterpillar train was crossing the road. I had to stop to make sure they got across the road safely, albeit with a slight detour. They are Ochrogaster lunifer or Processional Caterpillar

The caterpillar train stretched around three meters across the road
the caterpillar train010_named_home_feb 2018

The leader seemed to know where to go.
the caterpillar train012_named_home_feb 2018

They march nose to tail. Wouldn’t the one in front tickle your nose?
the caterpillar train011_named_home_feb 2018

“Somehow” the leader “wanted” to join in the train somewhere
the caterpillar train09_named_home_feb 2018

You aren’t allowed to push in the train.
the caterpillar train08_named_home_feb 2018

Once you are out, it is hard to get back in.
the caterpillar train07_named_home_feb 2018

Soon the train was in a bit of a circle with knots of caterpillars forming
the caterpillar train06_named_home_feb 2018

They do try to find some semblance of order
the caterpillar train05_named_home_feb 2018

Soon the circle became broken with a knot of caterpillars at the front
the caterpillar train04_named_home_feb 2018

I am sure they were trying to elect a new leader
the caterpillar train03_named_home_feb 2018

They are really hairy aren’t they?
the caterpillar train02_named_home_feb 2018

Election over, the leader decided to get the caterpillar train back on track to find a Fringe Wattle, their favourite food on my place.
the caterpillar train01_named_home_feb 2018

NOTE: Do not touch these caterpillars as they can cause a skin rash that can last a while.

NOTE: No caterpillars were harmed in this photo shoot

51 thoughts on “The Caterpillar Train”

  12. This is absolutely incredible. I never saw caterpillars do that before! Seems they have the same issues as America too, aside from the fighting of course. Wonderful photos, thanks for resharing so I could see and admire them.

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