Caterpillars in the flashlight

This will give the nationally renowned photo competition ‘Raupen im Blitzlicht’ (Caterpillars in the Flashlight), which received over 160 impressive entries last year, a permanent home in Pankow.

A total of 16 completely different large-format photographs can be admired on the wall in the passageway to the customer lifts on the ground floor.


Caterpillars make an important contribution to the preservation of biodiversity: they serve as an essential food source for bird and bat species and are indispensable precursors for butterflies. However, many native butterfly species are endangered – and many recognisable caterpillar food plants such as nettles and sorrel are increasingly being regarded as unwelcome ‘weeds’. To counteract this development, NABU Berlin supports outdoor projects such as the creation of ‘caterpillar gardens’ in cooperation with schools and local associations to specifically promote food plants for caterpillars.


The exhibition opening on 17 July 2025 at 11:00 a.m. in the Schönhauser Allee Arcaden will be accompanied by a small supporting programme with NABU species conservation officer Lars Sund and will begin in the co-working area on the first floor of the centre. Visitors can expect a selection of impressive aerial photographs, supplemented by informative panels on the development of caterpillars, their importance in the ecosystem and the protection status of wild plants in urban areas.

The exhibition is permanent and free of charge on the ground floor of the Schönhauser Allee Arcaden. It is part of a joint initiative by NABU Berlin and the centre management to promote urban nature and environmental awareness in a sustainable manner.