Thundering footsteps warn caterpillars of lethal ladybeetle attacks

Article excerpt

Diminutive warty birch caterpillars (Falcaria bilineata), less than 1.5mm long, ardently defend their leaf tip homes from invading caterpillars by scraping and pounding the leaf to warn off potential invaders. But how might the day-old caterpillars defend themselves when voracious ladybeetles (known as ladybugs in the US) are on the prowl?