Caterpillars
Caterpillars
Caterpillars (/ˈkætərˌpɪlər/) are the larval stage of members of the order Lepidoptera (the insect order comprising butterflies and moths).
Etymology
The word 'caterpillar' is derived from the Old French catepelose, which means 'hairy cat'. The term has been in use in English since the 14th century.
Description
Caterpillars have a well-developed head with strong mandibles (jaws) used for eating and several pairs of legs. Their body consists of thirteen segments, including three thoracic segments and ten abdominal segments.
Life Cycle
Caterpillars are part of the four-stage life cycle of all butterflies and moths. This cycle includes egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult stages. Caterpillars spend most of their time eating to grow and eventually transform into a pupa, leading to the adult butterfly or moth.
Diet
Caterpillars are typically voracious feeders and many of them are among the most serious of agricultural pests. They mostly eat leaves, stems, and flowers of plants.
Defense Mechanisms
Caterpillars have various defense mechanisms. Some caterpillars are covered in poisonous hairs or spines as a defense against predators. Others mimic their surroundings or produce chemicals that deter predators.
Related Terms
- Lepidoptera: The order of insects that includes butterflies and moths.
- Butterflies: A type of insect that, along with moths, belongs to the order Lepidoptera.
- Moths: A type of insect that, along with butterflies, belongs to the order Lepidoptera.
- Pupa: The life stage of some insects undergoing transformation between immature and mature stages.
- Chrysalis: The pupal stage of butterflies.
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