Vibrational Communication in Perga affinis larvae, and other behaviors displayed by caterpillars[]
Some time ago, I watched a program that included the Perga affinis, also called Spitfires-Australian sawfly larvae. I cannot find the video anywhere, but was amazed at the communication among them. The video showed vibrational communications in which the larvae would tap the leaf or branch the group was on until one of the "stragglers" would catch up. That is my non-scietnfic description. I really wish I could find the video! I added a different video about catepillar behavior instead, that is not specific to my topic. The image below IS of the Perga affinis.
Perga affinis
http://eol.org/pages/3832100/overview
Image credit: © Arthur Chapman
Source: Flickr: EOL Images
You can read more:
Cocroft, R. B., & Hamel, J. A. (2010). Vibrational Communication in the "other insect societies" A diversity of ecology signals, and signal functions. In C. E. O'Connell-Rodwell (Ed.), The use of Vibrations in communication: Properties,Mechanisms and Function across Taxa (pp. 1-23).
Kerala, India: Transworld Research Network 2010.
Fletcher, L. E. (2009, May). Examining potential benefits of group living in a sawfly larva, Perga affinis. Behavioral Ecology, 20(3), 657-664. doi:10.1093/beheco/arp048
Video Reference:
Stoddart, C. (2010). Catepillar 'talking' from walking: by Nature Video. Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFJHBU_03xg
I happened to come across this great site as well: