Eleven

So in conclusion, it is reasonable to assume that the distinctive “ticki-ticki-ticki” sound emitted by the Estigmene bicurius is a genetic holdover from prehistoric times, when the small caterpillar was considerably more plentiful than today.

While some may contend that any such assumption opens the investigation and subsequent conclusions to question (and possible ridicule,) there is ample evidence to support this claim, as demonstrated in the previous chapters. Beyond any reasonable doubt we can say that when the caterpillar walked (or crawled) the earth in geometrically greater numbers, collision with its fellow larvae were inevitable and led to large-scale confusion amongst the creatures. Over the millions of years the caterpillar flourished they seem to have developed the soft “ticki-ticki-ticki” call as a warning or indicator to its brethren to beware; another caterpillar is nearby and must be avoided.

One can only imagine the wonder of an earlier prehistoric era, standing in the Forest Primeval, marveling at the low, incessant rumble of “ticki-ticki-ticki” all about you. What would primitive Man have thought? Perhaps it was some unknown, unseen monster ready to pluck life from you; maybe the mutterings of the gods, or perhaps even the Voice of the Earth itself. We shall never know.

Estigmene bicurius is endangered and disappearing from its natural habitat, perhaps irrevocably. While their DNA has been preserved by the Insect Genome Project (IGP,) we cannot hope to save them unless steps are taken immediately. What a crime it would be to lose such a cheery and marvelous creature as this. I cannot imagine how lonely a world it would be if I could no longer stick my head outside the flap of my tent, cock an ear to the wind and listen to the enigmatic “ticki-ticki-ticki” of the bicurius.

What a lonely world indeed.