Caterpillar
Larva

The larvae of a moth or butterfly!
Caterpillar Scientific Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Scientific Name
- Larva
Caterpillar Conservation Status
Caterpillar Facts
- Main Prey
- Leaves, Plants, Flowers
- Habitat
- Quiet forests and pastures
- Predators
- Birds, Wasps, Mammals
- Diet
- Herbivore
- Favorite Food
- Leaves
- Common Name
- Caterpillar
- Number Of Species
- 21000
- Location
- Worldwide
- Slogan
- The larvae of a moth or butterfly!
Caterpillar Physical Characteristics
- Colour
- Yellow
- Red
- Blue
- Black
- Green
- Orange
- Skin Type
- Hair
Caterpillar Images
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The caterpillar is the larvae (the baby) of both a butterfly and a moth. After around 2-3 weeks, the caterpillar builds itself into a cocoon where it remains a pupa for a further 2 weeks. The caterpillar then emerges having grown wings.
The moth caterpillar is well known for being a pest, particularly in the fabric industry. One species of caterpillar has destroyed reams of silk in the far east, known in China as a silkworm.
Generally, most species of caterpillar are considered to be agricultural pests as they can munch their ways through fields of crops, often leaving enormous holes which result in unhealthy or inedible plants.
Some species of caterpillar are also highly poisonous, particularly those species that live in the tropical rain forests. Other species are only poisonous in their caterpillar form, meaning when they turn into a moth or butterfly, they no longer have venom.
There are more than 20,000 different species of known caterpillar found all around the world and it is estimated that there are many more that are undiscovered as new species of butterflies and moths are regularly found in regions where there is little, if any, human presence.
Caterpillars difference in size, colour and appearance depending on their species. Some caterpillars are very brightly coloured where other caterpillar species are quite dull-looking in comparison. Some species of caterpillars are very hairy, where others are very smooth. The main aim of the appearance of the caterpillar is to intimidate its predators and to deter them from eating it.
The caterpillar, like the butterfly, is a herbivorous animal but the diets of the caterpillar and the butterfly are very different. Butterflies use their long straw-like tongues to drink the nectar out of flowers, which is an adaptation that occurs in the process where the caterpillar becomes a butterfly. Caterpillars mainly feed on leaves, plants and flowering plants and big holes can often be found in leaves indicating the presence of a caterpillar.
A number of species of caterpillar are known to be carnivorous and eat a variety of insects that pass them. One caterpillar species found in Hawaii, hooks itself onto a leaf where it stands very straight trying to catching passing bugs.
Due to their small size and worm-like shape, caterpillars are preyed upon by numerous different species of animal but the main predators of the caterpillar are birds and large insects such as wasps. Caterpillars are also commonly preyed upon by small mammals and reptiles.
View all 65 animals that start with CCaterpillar FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Are Caterpillars herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores?
Caterpillars are Herbivores, meaning they eat plants.
What Kingdom do Caterpillars belong to?
Caterpillars belong to the Kingdom Animalia.
What class do Caterpillars belong to?
Caterpillars belong to the class Insecta.
What phylum to Caterpillars belong to?
Caterpillars belong to the phylum Arthropoda.
What order do Caterpillars belong to?
Caterpillars belong to the order Lepidoptera.
What type of covering do Caterpillars have?
Caterpillars are covered in Hair.
Where do Caterpillars live?
Caterpillars are found worldwide.
In what type of habitat do Caterpillars live?
Caterpillars live in quiet forests and pastures.
What is the main prey for Caterpillars?
Caterpillars eat leaves, plants, and flowers.
What are some predators of Caterpillars?
Predators of Caterpillars include birds, wasps, and mammals.
What is an interesting fact about Caterpillars?
Caterpillars are the larvae of a moth or butterfly!
How many species of Caterpillar are there?
There are 21,000 species of Caterpillar.
How many species of Caterpillar are there?
There are 21,000 species of Caterpillar.
Sources
- David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2011) Animal, The Definitive Visual Guide To The World's Wildlife
- Tom Jackson, Lorenz Books (2007) The World Encyclopedia Of Animals
- David Burnie, Kingfisher (2011) The Kingfisher Animal Encyclopedia
- Richard Mackay, University of California Press (2009) The Atlas Of Endangered Species
- David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2008) Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Animals
- Dorling Kindersley (2006) Dorling Kindersley Encyclopedia Of Animals
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