Processional Caterpillars
There is a particular type of a caterpillar called as “Pine Processional Caterpillars”.
These “Processional Caterpillars” walk in long lines – each one following closely the next in front.
A noted French naturalist named Jean Henri Fabre, once conducted an experiment on them.
He took a flowerpot and placed of a number of these “Processional Caterpillars” in a single-file around the circumference of the rim of a flower-pot.
Each caterpillar’s head touched the one in front of it.
He then placed the caterpillar’s favorite food in the middle of the pot.
He was surprised to observe that each of the caterpillar followed the one ahead, thinking it was heading for the food.
Round and round went these insects – for several days!
Finally, after many days of this absurd activity, the caterpillars started to drop dead – because of exhaustion and starvation!
All that they had to avoid the snare of death was to stop the senseless rounding around the pot…
…. and head, instead, directly to the food, that was placed less than six-inches away from them!
However, these “Processional Caterpillars” were trapped in a lifestyle which made them to only follow the one ahead..
… and were unable to “disentangle” themselves from the habit of ‘blindly’ following others!