Caterpillars on the grass, part four

By the time fungus-infected caterpillars crawl up to the tops of grass stems  (or to other elevated positions), they are almost certainly doomed.  Therefore, it might seem reasonable to assume that this 'height seeking' behavior is instigated by and for the benefit of the fungus.  Yet, there is another possibility.

Though it is too late for the dying caterpillars to save themselves, they may be acting to save their relatives.  Female moths and butterflies sometimes lay their eggs in clumps, with the consequence that sibling caterpillars develop in close proximity.  For these families, it would be advantageous if diseased individuals left the group to avoid infecting the others.  Furthermore, being stuck at the top of a grass stem may have significant drawbacks for the fungus if large herbivores or predators of the caterpillars are around.

Whether climbing up grasses was more beneficial for the caterpillars or the fungus, there were some caterpillars that avoided infection.  About the same time and in the same area that I found the sick, green caterpillar, I caught a much healthier version that had been crawling across the ground.

A healthy moth caterpillar.

I took the healthy caterpillar home to observe whether it too would fall victim to the (at the time) mysterious epidemic.  However, unlike the sick caterpillar, which was rapidly engulfed in fungus, the healthy caterpillar soon metamorphosed into a pupa...

A healthy moth pupa.

... and later emerged as a nondescript, grayish brown moth.