Caterpillar-behavior
Guides
Drepana bilineata
warty birch caterpillar
Drepana bilineata is a moth species in the family Drepanidae, commonly known as the warty birch caterpillar. Its larvae are notable for their specialized vibrational communication, using two distinct signals—mandible drumming and anal scraping—to defend feeding territories on birch leaves. The species exhibits territorial behavior where resident caterpillars signal more frequently than intruders and win the majority of conflicts. This represents one of only two described examples of vibrational communication in Drepanoidea caterpillars.