Caterpillar uses the sun to navigate...

An unusual caterpillar uses the sun to navigate as it jumps to safety, according to scientists.

The larva of Calindoea trifascialis, a species of moth native to Vietnam, wraps itself in a leaf before dropping to the forest floor.

It then spends three days searching for a suitable place to pupate, despite not being able to see out of its shelter.

Experts found the insect used a piston-like motion to jump away from strong sunlight.

"We believe the object of the jumping is to find shade - to avoid overheating and desiccation," explained Mr Kim Humphreys from the Royal Ontario Museum, Canada who conducted the research alongside Dr Christopher Darling.

Their findings are published in the Royal Society journal Biology Letters.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/23754429

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