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. However, this year, the extreme drought conditions, as well as Oak leaf blister and anthracnose, have contributed to the overall stress level of affected oaks and resulted in visible decline symptoms.