What is a caterpillar?
Quick Answer
A caterpillar is the larval stage of a butterfly or moth. It is a feeding stage focused on growth before transformation into a pupa and adult.
The Full Story
Caterpillars are the larvae of insects in the order Lepidoptera, which includes butterflies and moths. Their main job is to eat and grow, often consuming leaves in large amounts. As they develop, caterpillars molt several times before forming a pupa or chrysalis. Many species have specialized defenses such as spines, camouflage, warning colors, or toxic chemicals from their host plants. Caterpillars are a major part of food webs and are essential to the life cycle of butterflies and moths.
Key Facts
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