Caterpillars stop train in China

The engineers noticed that the train was taking more power to maintain speed as it entered a small valley in the Inner Mongolia region. The train meanwhile slowed and finally stopped.

Officials who arrived at the spot found that the entire place was coated with caterpillars, Global Times reported.

"It was in this big grove of apricot trees, all of which were ravaged by caterpillars," said Fu Jianguo, one of the officers at the site.

Railway workers were called to sweep the caterpillars away so the train could continue on its course.

"I've actually heard of insects coating tracks and causing a short circuit, but this is the first time I've seen it in person," Fu said of the incident about a fortnight ago.