Caterpillar
Caterpillar
Caterpillar (/ˈkætərˌpɪlər/) is the larval stage of members of the order Lepidoptera (the insect order comprising butterflies and moths).
Etymology
The word "caterpillar" has its origins in the Old North French catepelose, which means 'hairy cat'. It is a combination of the Old French cat (cat) and pelose (hairy).
Description
Caterpillars have a well-developed head with strong mandibles used for cutting their food, typically leaves. They have three pairs of true legs on the three thoracic segments, up to four pairs of prolegs on the middle segments of the abdomen, and often a single pair of prolegs on the last abdominal segment. There are ten abdominal segments.
Life Cycle
The caterpillar is the second phase in the life cycle of a butterfly or moth (the order Lepidoptera). The stages of the life cycle of a butterfly or moth are: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult.
Related Terms
- Lepidoptera: The order of insects that includes butterflies and moths.
- Larva: The immature, wingless, and often wormlike feeding form that hatches from the egg of many insects.
- Pupa: The non-feeding stage between the larva and adult, during which the caterpillar undergoes complete transformation.
- Chrysalis: The pupal stage of butterflies.
- Mandibles: The pair of hardened jaws possessed by most insects.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Caterpillar
- Wikipedia's article - Caterpillar
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