Caterpillars can ‘speak’ to ants and trick them via rhythm

If you thought middle school band kids took rhythm seriously, wait until you meet a caterpillar trying not to get eaten.

Certain butterfly caterpillars are able to use carefully timed vibrations to communicate with ants and trick them into taking care of the caterpillar, according to new research from the University of Warwick.

Let’s break it down: Scientists have long known that some butterfly species are dependent on ants for protection and food during the caterpillar stages of their life, and offer sugary secretions to the ants in return for taking care of them.

But this new study shows that along with chemical methods, some caterpillars also vibrate in the same precise patterns as ants in order to better integrate with them.

• Researchers found that caterpillars with the closest relationship to ants were the ones who vibrated in patterns that most closely matched the ants.
• On the flip side, caterpillars with less similar rhythms had weaker relationships with ants.

“For caterpillars, getting the rhythm right can be vital: it may determine whether ants provide care and protection, or ignore them completely,” said study co-author Francesca Barbero.

Big picture: To date, scientists have mostly associated the ability for complex rhythm with primates and larger-brained animals. However, the new findings suggest rhythm could be a fundamental aspect of communication for a wide range of animal species, including tiny insects.