Description, appearance and body structure
A caterpillar is the larva of lepidopteran insects, namely butterflies, moths and moths. Its body is oblong, segmented, its soft shell provides maximum mobility. Caterpillars, like their adult sexually mature individuals, belong to the class of insects.
Their body consists of a barely visible head, thoracic and abdominal sections, and several pairs of limbs. In appearance, the body structure of the caterpillar resembles a worm. The size of a butterfly or other insect larva can vary from 10 mm to 12 cm.
In the front part of the caterpillar there is a head, which consists of six fused segments that form a hard capsule. In most cases it is round. The parietal parts of the insect protrude above the head, forming a kind of horns. Small antennae grow on the sides, consisting of three successive joints. Butterfly larvae have 5-6 pairs of eyes. Usually they are located one after another in an arcuate manner.
Body structure
The mouthparts of this insect are of the gnawing type. The upper jaws are well developed and have teeth that easily gnaw and tear food. Inside the oral cavity there are tubercles for chewing food. Insects breathe using a spiracle, which is located on the chest and represents a stigma.
Most butterfly caterpillars have three pairs of legs in the chest area, and five pairs of prolegs, which are located in the abdominal region. At the ends of the first there are soles with claws, which insects extend during movement. The latter are equipped with small hooks that help them stay on the plant. In general, moth and moth caterpillars look like butterfly caterpillars. Their size and shade of the body may vary.
The insect's body is covered with small villi, outgrowths, and a well-grown cuticle. In this case, the bristles are arranged in a certain order inherent in a given species or family of insects.
To transform the larva into a mature flying individual, each caterpillar contains immaginal discs, which are the rudiment of future wings, articulated paws and compound eyes. In the process of further development of the insect, their transformation occurs.
Life cycle
In their development, all representatives of the order Lepidoptera go through 4 stages: egg, caterpillar, pupa, butterfly. After mating, female insects lay eggs, which can develop from several days to months. The duration of the period depends on temperature conditions. The caterpillar easily gnaws through the shell of the egg. Under unfavorable weather conditions, the larva overwinters in the egg and only when spring comes does it emerge. Hungry caterpillars often eat the remains of their “shelter.”
How long do caterpillars live is a question that can be found quite often on the Internet. The duration of this phase of insect development depends on the species and can last several days or years. This is due to the fact that northern butterflies hibernate without completing their development cycle.
The moth, which lives in harsh northern regions, can remain in the caterpillar stage for about 14 years.
The caterpillar has several phases of development. They are characterized not only by changes in the color and size of the insect, but also by certain structural features. During its life, an insect undergoes a certain number of moults, which depend on its membership in a particular biological species. Typically, the larva molts 4 times; for representatives of certain species, this number can vary from 5 to 7. Under unfavorable external conditions, the growth period of the insect is prolonged, and the number of molts increases.
The clothes caterpillar can molt 4 or 40 times.
Before this process begins, they stop feeding, become motionless and hide in secluded places. Their skin stretches and their head seems to shrink in size. Having shed the old shell, the caterpillar can eat it. Having gone through all stages of molting, insects move on to a new life stage.
Pupation of the caterpillar can occur in inaccessible places or directly on the plant on which the larva fed. Under certain conditions, insects travel considerable distances in search of protected places. Later, a butterfly emerges from the pupa.
Habitat
The limited mobility of caterpillars does not facilitate their movement over long distances. In most cases, insects lead a terrestrial lifestyle, but there are also species that live in water.
All caterpillars are divided into two main groups: hidden and leading a free lifestyle. The former practically do not appear on the surface and live in the bark or in the ground away from sunlight. The latter are found on plants and are active during the daytime.
Habitat
In nature, many insects and animals feed on caterpillars. This is due to their high protein content. Therefore, the color of insects living on plants has a camouflage color, which allows them to blend in with the surface of the leaves. Poisonous butterfly larvae are characterized by a frightening bright body shade.
Among those who eat caterpillars:
- wasps;
- spiders;
- birds;
- reptiles.
To protect themselves from attacks from predators, some butterfly larvae are capable of producing a whistle and protruding from their body a fork-shaped gland of a red-orange hue, which secretes mucus with a pungent odor.
Types of caterpillars
In nature, there are many types of caterpillars that differ in size, color and other features. However, only a few of them have become more widely known.
Among them:
- Cabbage caterpillar. The insect's habitat is Eastern Europe, from North Africa to the Japanese islands. Subsequently it came to South America, where it was introduced. This green caterpillar is the larva of the cabbage butterfly. The length of its body is about 3.5 cm. The insect has 8 pairs of limbs. On the surface of the body there are black warts and short hairs of the same color.
- Moth caterpillar. The insect has an elongated body. Its peculiarity is its underdeveloped abdominal limbs, so it moves in a loop-like manner, bending the body in an arc. This makes it possible to move the back of the body forward. The color of the moth larva can be green or brown, depending on the variety.
- Large harpy larva. It lives in Europe, Central Asia, and northern Africa. The length of adult individuals reaches 6 cm. The color of insects is green with a purple diamond on the back, which has a light outline.
- Redtail caterpillar. Distributed in the forest-steppe of Eurasia, as well as Asia. It grows up to 5 cm in length. It can have a pink, brown or gray color. The body of the insect is densely covered with hairs, and at the end of the body there is a tail from which crimson bristles protrude. This species belongs to the category of poisonous. When it comes into contact with human skin, irritation occurs.
- Silkworm larva. The caterpillar is found in East Asia, Russia, and China. The length of the caterpillar reaches 6-7 cm. The body of the larva is warty and shaggy. Initially, the villi are blue and brown, but after the fourth molt they become yellow. The silkworm larva feeds exclusively on mulberry leaves.
- Corrosive woodworm caterpillar. This species is found in almost all European countries. During wintering, the color changes from yellow-pink to orange. There are black glossy warts on the body. The length of the insect reaches 5-6 cm. Its usual habitat is inside branches and tree trunks. The larvae feed on plant sap.
- Swallowtail caterpillar. This species is considered one of the most colorful. Found in Europe, Asia, North America, and Africa. At the initial stage of larval development, the body is black with scarlet warts. As it develops, it turns green and black transverse lines appear, each with 6-8 red-orange spots. In case of danger, the swallowtail caterpillar secretes a liquid with a specific odor. This species feeds on the leaves of carrots, celery, wormwood, parsley, and alder.
Great Harpy Larva
Poisonous caterpillars
Poisonous caterpillars can be distinguished by the bright color of their body. This is a kind of warning signal.
These include the following types:
- Coquette caterpillar. Distributed in Mexico. In appearance it resembles a small hamster. The body length of the larva reaches 2-3 cm. The body is densely covered with brown hairs. Upon contact, a person experiences chest pain and shortness of breath.
- Saddle caterpillar. The back of this larva is poisonous green in color, with a large brown spot in the center. There are thick horns on the head and tail, and on the body there are stiff hairs, the ends of which contain poison.
- Lazy clown. Lives in Uruguay, Mozambique. The size of the caterpillar is 3-4 cm. The main color is black and white with tufts of stiff hairs of a milky green hue. The Lazy Clown's venom affects the nervous system and causes internal bleeding.
- Burning rose. The main color of the caterpillar is yellow, with blue and red stripes clearly visible on it. The thick horns of the insect contain spines with poison. Upon contact, they break, which causes a rash on the human skin.
Burning Rose
Transformation of larvae into butterflies
Metamorphosis of a caterpillar.
By definition, caterpillars are larvae that turn into butterflies, absolutely everything. Some species are one- or two-day-old butterflies that live only to lay eggs.
But voracious animals do not always complete their life cycle. They may be eaten or become victims of parasites.
There are insects that look like caterpillars, but they are not. They are called false caterpillars. These are the larvae of some beetles, worms, wasps or ants.
Sawfly false caterpillars.
Keeping caterpillars at home
Absolutely any larva that lives on nearby growing crops can become a pet. To grow it until it becomes a butterfly, it must be placed in a glass jar and provided with food. In this case, you need to know what caterpillars of this species like.
The caterpillars need to be fed regularly, and the bedding should also be changed periodically, removing feces and the remains of shells after molting. A couple of days before pupation, the larva becomes restless and constantly fidgets. Depending on the species, it is necessary to provide favorable conditions for further transformation into a butterfly. If this happens in the ground, then the soil needs to be poured into a jar. In case of transformation in a suspended state, you should put a stick on top of the container, and if necessary, make a cocoon - sprinkle leaves.
The pupation process lasts within half an hour. In the future, all that remains is to wait for a butterfly to emerge from it. In some species this occurs within a few days, while in others it occurs only in the next season.
What is a female swan called?
See what a “female swan” is in other dictionaries: female swan - female swan, female swan ... ... swan - (female swan), swan, swan ...
Interesting materials:
How to add a VK video title? What should GTA 1 be called? What is another name for steelyard? What is another name for football? What is another name for emerald? What is another name for a rook in chess? What is another name for the HR department? What is another name for the North Star? What is another name for sugar? What is another name for the Pacific Ocean?
Methods of dealing with caterpillars
The appearance of caterpillars on plants does not bode well. These voracious insects can cause serious harm to a crop and even cause its death. In this case, at the first signs of their vital activity, it is necessary to take urgent measures to save the plants.
The following insecticides can be used to control caterpillars:
- Bitoxibacillin;
- Iskra M;
- Inta-vir;
- Senpai;
- Monsoon;
- Lepidocide.
To prevent damage, you can use decoctions based on tobacco leaves, chamomile, onion peels, tomato tops, and yarrow. The smell of these plants can scare off flying individuals, and they will not be able to lay eggs.
Article information
wikiHow works like a wiki, which means that many of our articles are written by multiple authors. This article was produced by 35 people, including anonymously, to edit and improve it.
Category: Insects
In other languages:
English: Care for a Caterpillar, Español: cuidar de una oruga, Deutsch: Eine Raupe versorgen, Italiano: Allevare Bruchi, 中文: 照料毛毛虫, Português: Cuidar de uma Lagarta, Français: prendre soin d'une chenille, Nederlands: Een rups verzorgen, Čeština: Jak se starat o housenku, العربية: العناية باليسروع, Tiếng Việt: Nuôi sâu bướm
This page has been viewed 96,013 times.
Was this article helpful?
Not really
