We humans have a very similar process in our digestive tracts. The muscle contractions that keep the food moving through our systems occur in waves known as peristalsis. Peristalsis is defined as a peculiar worm-like wave motion of the intestines. Such action is not limited to insect caterpillars and human digestive tracts. Many- segmented organisms move sing peristaltic contractions.
Earthworms are good examples.
Millipedes also coordinate their many legs through peristaltic wave action. When a millipede is in a hurry, and it is sometimes hard to tell is a slow moving millipede is in a hurry, it will have several waves moving through its legs at once. In insects, millipedes, human digestive tracts and athletic contests it appears a wave is a good way to get things going. Symptoms range from numerous, small, dark spots in between leaf veins to large round, reddish-brown spots or blotches on leaves. In recent years, this foliar disease develops late in the growing season and does not affect the overall health of the tree.