Cat a Pillar

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

  • 7/31/2019 Cat a Pillar

    1/26

    CaterpillarFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    For other uses, seeCaterpillar (disambiguation).

    Caterpillars are thelarvalform of a member of theorderLepidoptera(theinsectorder

    comprisingbutterfliesandmoths). They are mostlyherbivorousin food habit, with some species

    beinginsectivorous. Caterpillars are voracious feeders and many of them are

    consideredpestsinagriculture. Many mothspeciesare better known in their caterpillar stages

    because of the damage they cause to fruits and other agricultural produce.

    The etymological origins of the word are from the early 16th century, fromMiddle

    Englishcatirpel, catirpeller, probably an alteration ofOld North Frenchcatepelose: cate, cat

    (from Latin cattus) + pelose, hairy (from Latin pilsus).[1]

    Anatomy

    A head, B thorax, C abdomen, 1 prothoracic shield, 2 spiracle, 3 true legs, 4 midabdominal prolegs, 5

    anal proleg, 6 anal plate, 7 tentacle, a frontal triangle, b stemmata (ocelli), c antenna, d mandible, e

    labrum.

    Actias selenewith some of thespiraclesidentified.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar_(disambiguation)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar_(disambiguation)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar_(disambiguation)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larvahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larvahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larvahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_(biology)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_(biology)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lepidopterahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lepidopterahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lepidopterahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insecthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insecthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insecthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterflyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterflyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterflyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mothhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mothhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mothhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbivorehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbivorehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insectivorehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insectivorehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insectivorehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pest_(organism)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pest_(organism)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pest_(organism)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agriculturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agriculturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Specieshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Specieshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Specieshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Englishhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Englishhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Englishhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Englishhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Frenchhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Frenchhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Frenchhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Actias_selenehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Actias_selenehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiraclehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiraclehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiraclehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Actias_selene_5th_instar_spiracles_sjh.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Actias_selene_5th_instar_spiracles_sjh.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Caterpillar_morphology_diagram.svghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Caterpillar_morphology_diagram.svghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Actias_selene_5th_instar_spiracles_sjh.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Actias_selene_5th_instar_spiracles_sjh.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Caterpillar_morphology_diagram.svghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Caterpillar_morphology_diagram.svghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Actias_selene_5th_instar_spiracles_sjh.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Actias_selene_5th_instar_spiracles_sjh.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Caterpillar_morphology_diagram.svghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Caterpillar_morphology_diagram.svghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Actias_selene_5th_instar_spiracles_sjh.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Actias_selene_5th_instar_spiracles_sjh.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Caterpillar_morphology_diagram.svghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Caterpillar_morphology_diagram.svghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiraclehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Actias_selenehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Frenchhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Englishhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Englishhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Specieshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agriculturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pest_(organism)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insectivorehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbivorehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mothhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterflyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insecthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lepidopterahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_(biology)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larvahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar_(disambiguation)
  • 7/31/2019 Cat a Pillar

    2/26

    Most caterpillars have tubular, segmented bodies. They havethree pairs of true legs on the three thoracic segments, up to fourpairs ofprolegson the middle segments of theabdomen, andoften a single pair of prolegs on the last abdominal segment.

    There are ten abdominal segments. The families of lepidopteradiffer in the numbers and positioning of the prolegs. Somecaterpillars are fuzzy (which means they have hair), and they aremost likely to cause itching of the hands if touched.

    Caterpillars grow through a series ofmoults; each intermediatestage is called aninstar. The last moult takes them into theinactive pupal or chrysalis stage.

    Like all insects, caterpillars breathe through a series of smallopenings along the sides of their thorax and abdomencalledspiracles. These branch into the body cavity into a networkof tracheae. A few caterpillars of the familyPyralidaeare aquaticand have gills that let them breathe underwater.

    [2]

    Caterpillars have about 4,000 muscles (compared to humans,with 629). The average caterpillar has 248 muscles in the headsegment alone.

    Caterpillars move by sliding their internal organs forward usingcontraction of the muscles; the torso first elongates and thencontracts like aslinky. They are one of the only known organismsthat use this method of locomotion. Another way of describing thisprocess is: gut-first, body-later.

    [3]

    [edit]Senses

    Close-up of a caterpillar face.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proleghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proleghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proleghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdomenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdomenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdomenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecdysishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecdysishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecdysishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiraclehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiraclehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiraclehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyralidaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyralidaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyralidaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slinkyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slinkyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slinkyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-2http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caterpillar&action=edit&section=2http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caterpillar&action=edit&section=2http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caterpillar&action=edit&section=2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Caterpillar_face.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Caterpillar_face.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Caterpillar_face.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Caterpillar_face.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caterpillar&action=edit&section=2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slinkyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyralidaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiraclehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecdysishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdomenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proleg
  • 7/31/2019 Cat a Pillar

    3/26

    Caterpillars do not have good vision. They have a series of sixtiny eyelets or'stemmata' on each side of the lower portion oftheir head. These can probably form well focused, but poorlyresolved images.

    [4]They move their heads from side to side

    probably as a means of judging distance of objects, particularlyplants. They rely on their shortantennaeto help them locate food.

    Some caterpillars are able to detect vibrations, usually at aspecific frequency. Caterpillars of the commonhook-tipmoth,Drepana arcuata(Drepanoidea) produce sounds to defendtheir silk nests from members of their own species,

    [5]by scraping

    against the leaf in a ritualized acoustic duel. They detect thevibrations conducted by the plant and not airborne sounds.

    Similarly, cherry leaf rollers Caloptilia serotinelladefend theirrolls.

    [6]Tent caterpillars can also detect vibrations at the frequency

    of wing beats of one of their natural enemies.[7]

    [edit]Classification

    Ageometridcaterpillar or inchworm

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simple_eyes_in_arthropods#Stemmatahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simple_eyes_in_arthropods#Stemmatahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simple_eyes_in_arthropods#Stemmatahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-scoble-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-scoble-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-scoble-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antenna_(biology)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antenna_(biology)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antenna_(biology)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hook-tip_mothhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hook-tip_mothhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hook-tip_mothhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hook-tip_mothhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-5http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-5http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-5http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-6http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-6http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caterpillar&action=edit&section=3http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caterpillar&action=edit&section=3http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caterpillar&action=edit&section=3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geometridaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geometridaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geometridaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Geometridae.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Geometridae.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Geometridae.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Geometridae.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geometridaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caterpillar&action=edit&section=3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-6http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-5http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hook-tip_mothhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hook-tip_mothhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antenna_(biology)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-scoble-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simple_eyes_in_arthropods#Stemmata
  • 7/31/2019 Cat a Pillar

    4/26

    Crochets on a caterpillar's prolegs.

    Thegeometrids, also known as inchworms or loopers, are sonamed because of the way they move, appearing to measure theearth (the word geometridmeans earth-measurerinGreek); theprimary reason for this unusual locomotion is the elimination ofnearly all the prolegs except the clasper on the terminal segment.

    Caterpillars have soft bodies that can grow rapidly between

    moults. Only the head capsule is hardened. In caterpillars,themandiblesare tough and sharp for chewing leaves; in mostadult Lepidoptera, the mandibles are highly reduced, or soft.Behind the mandibles of the caterpillar are thespinnerets, formanipulating silk.

    Some larvae of theHymenoptera(ants, bees and wasps) ordercan appear like the caterpillars of the lepidoptera. These aremainly seen in theSawflyfamily and while the larvae superficially

    resemble caterpillars, they can be distinguished by the presenceof prolegs on every abdominal segment. Another difference is thatlepidopteran caterpillars have crochets or hooks on the prolegswhile these are absent on the sawfly larvae. Also in lepidopterancaterpillars is the upside down Y shapedsutureon the front of the

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geometridaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geometridaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geometridaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandible_(insect_mouthpart)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandible_(insect_mouthpart)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandible_(insect_mouthpart)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinneret_(spider)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinneret_(spider)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinneret_(spider)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hymenopterahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hymenopterahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hymenopterahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sawflyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sawflyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sawflyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suture_(anatomical)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suture_(anatomical)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suture_(anatomical)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Crochets.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Crochets.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Crochets.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Crochets.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suture_(anatomical)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sawflyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hymenopterahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinneret_(spider)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandible_(insect_mouthpart)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geometridae
  • 7/31/2019 Cat a Pillar

    5/26

    head.[4]

    The larvae of sawflies differ also in havingprominentocellion the head capsule.

    [edit]Defenses

    Thesaddleback caterpillarhasurticating hairandaposematic colouring.

    Many animals feed on caterpillars as they are rich in protein; as aresult, caterpillars have evolved various means of defenses. Theappearance of a caterpillar can often repel a predator, themarkings and certain body parts can make it seem poisonous,bigger in size thus threatening, or non-edible. Some types ofcaterpillars are indeed poisonous, and are capable of shootingacid.

    [citation needed]

    Some caterpillars have long "whip-like" organs attached to the

    ends of their body. The caterpillar wiggles these organs to frightenaway flies.

    [8]

    Caterpillars have evolved defences against physical conditionssuch as cold, hot or dry environmental conditions. Some Arcticspecies likeGynaephora groenlandicahave special basking andaggregation behaviours[9]apart from physiological adaptations toremain in a dormant state.

    [10]

    [edit]Appearance

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-scoble-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-scoble-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-scoble-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocellihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocellihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocellihttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caterpillar&action=edit&section=4http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caterpillar&action=edit&section=4http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caterpillar&action=edit&section=4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saddleback_caterpillarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saddleback_caterpillarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saddleback_caterpillarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urticating_hairhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urticating_hairhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urticating_hairhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aposematismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aposematismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aposematismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_neededhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_neededhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_neededhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gynaephora_groenlandicahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gynaephora_groenlandicahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gynaephora_groenlandicahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-8http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-8http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-9http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-9http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-9http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caterpillar&action=edit&section=5http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caterpillar&action=edit&section=5http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caterpillar&action=edit&section=5http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Acharia_stimulea_0795036.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Acharia_stimulea_0795036.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Acharia_stimulea_0795036.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Acharia_stimulea_0795036.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caterpillar&action=edit&section=5http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-9http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-8http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gynaephora_groenlandicahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_neededhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aposematismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urticating_hairhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saddleback_caterpillarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caterpillar&action=edit&section=4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocellihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-scoble-3
  • 7/31/2019 Cat a Pillar

    6/26

    Costa Ricanhairy caterpillar. The spiny bristles are a self-defense mechanism

    Many caterpillars arecrypticallycoloured and resemble the plantson which they feed and may even have parts thatmimicplantparts such as thorns. Their size varies from as little as 1 mm toabout 3 inches (76 mm). Some look like objects in the

    environment such as bird droppings. Many feed enclosed insidesilk galleries, rolled leaves or by miningbetween the leafsurfaces. Caterpillars ofNemoria arizonariathat grow in springfeed on oak catkins and appear green. The summer brood appearlike oak twigs. The differential development is linked to the tannincontent in the diet.[11]

    More aggressive self-defense measures are taken by caterpillars.These caterpillars have spiny bristles or long fine hair-

    likesetaewith detachable tips that will irritate by lodging in theskin or mucous membranes.

    [4]Some birds, likecuckoos, will

    swallow even the hairiest of caterpillars. The most aggressivedefenses are bristles associated withvenomglands,calledurticating hairs; a venom among the most potent defensivechemicals in any animals is produced by theSouth AmericansilkmothgenusLonomia. It is ananticoagulantpowerful enough tocause a human tohemorrhageto death (SeeLonomiasis).

    [12]This

    chemical is being investigated for potential medical applications.Most urticating hairs range in effect from mild irritationtodermatitis.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costa_Ricahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costa_Ricahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crypsishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crypsishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crypsishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mimichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mimichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mimichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaf_minerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaf_minerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nemoria_arizonariahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nemoria_arizonariahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nemoria_arizonariahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Setahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Setahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Setahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-scoble-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-scoble-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-scoble-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuckoohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuckoohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuckoohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venomhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venomhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venomhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urticating_hairhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urticating_hairhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urticating_hairhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Americahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Americahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturniidaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturniidaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturniidaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturniidaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lonomiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lonomiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lonomiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anticoagulanthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anticoagulanthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemorrhagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemorrhagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemorrhagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lonomiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lonomiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lonomiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-11http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-11http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-11http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dermatitishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dermatitishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dermatitishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hairy_caterpillar_(Costa_Rica).jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hairy_caterpillar_(Costa_Rica).jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hairy_caterpillar_(Costa_Rica).jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hairy_caterpillar_(Costa_Rica).jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dermatitishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-11http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lonomiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemorrhagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anticoagulanthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lonomiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturniidaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturniidaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Americahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urticating_hairhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venomhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuckoohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-scoble-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Setahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nemoria_arizonariahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaf_minerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mimichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crypsishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costa_Rica
  • 7/31/2019 Cat a Pillar

    7/26

    Giant swallowtailcaterpillar everting itsosmeteriumin defense

    Plants have evolved poisons to protect themselves fromherbivores and some caterpillars have evolved countermeasuresand eat the leaves of these toxic plants. In addition to beingunaffected by the poison, theysequesterit in their body, making

    them highly toxic to predators. These chemicals are also carriedon into the adult stages. These toxic species, such astheCinnabar moth(Tyria jacobaeae) and monarch (Danausplexippus) caterpillars, usually advertise themselves with brightlystriped or coloured in black, red and yellowthe danger colors(seeaposematism). Any predator that attempts to eat a caterpillarwith an aggressive defence mechanism will learn and avoid futureattempts.

    Larvae ofCraesus septentrionalis,asawflyshowing 6 pairs of pro-legs.

    Some caterpillars regurgitate acidic digestive juices at attackingenemies. Manypapilionidlarvae produce bad smells fromextrudable glands calledosmeteria.

    Caterpillars can evade predators by using a silk line and droppingoff from branches when disturbed.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_swallowtailhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_swallowtailhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osmeteriumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osmeteriumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osmeteriumhttp://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/sequesterhttp://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/sequesterhttp://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/sequesterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinnabar_mothhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinnabar_mothhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinnabar_mothhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danaus_plexippushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danaus_plexippushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danaus_plexippushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aposematismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aposematismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Craesus_septentrionalis&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Craesus_septentrionalis&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Craesus_septentrionalis&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sawflyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sawflyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sawflyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papilionidaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papilionidaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papilionidaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osmeteriumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osmeteriumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osmeteriumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Craesus_septentrionalis.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Craesus_septentrionalis.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Papilio_cresphontes_larva_defensive.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Papilio_cresphontes_larva_defensive.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Craesus_septentrionalis.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Craesus_septentrionalis.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Papilio_cresphontes_larva_defensive.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Papilio_cresphontes_larva_defensive.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Craesus_septentrionalis.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Craesus_septentrionalis.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Papilio_cresphontes_larva_defensive.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Papilio_cresphontes_larva_defensive.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Craesus_septentrionalis.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Craesus_septentrionalis.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Papilio_cresphontes_larva_defensive.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Papilio_cresphontes_larva_defensive.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osmeteriumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papilionidaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sawflyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Craesus_septentrionalis&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aposematismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danaus_plexippushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danaus_plexippushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinnabar_mothhttp://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/sequesterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osmeteriumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_swallowtail
  • 7/31/2019 Cat a Pillar

    8/26

    Some caterpillars obtain protection by associating themselveswithants. TheLycaenidbutterflies are particularly well known forthis. They communicate with their ant protectors by vibrations aswell as chemical means and typically provide food rewards.

    [13]

    Some caterpillars aregregarious; large aggregations are believedto help in reducing the levels of parasitization andpredation.

    [14]Clusters amplify the signal of aposematic coloration,

    and individuals may participate in group regurgitation or displays.

    Caterpillars can be confused with the larvae ofsawflies(seeimage on right). Lepidopteran larvae can be differentiated by:

    the numbers of pairs of pro-legs; sawfly larvae have 6 while

    caterpillars have up to 5 pairs. the number of stemmata (simple eyes); the sawfly larvae have

    only two, while a caterpillar has six.

    the presence of crochets on the prolegs; these are absent intheSymphyta(sawflies).

    [edit]Behavior

    APasture Day Mothcaterpillar feeding on capeweed

    Caterpillars have been called "eating machines", and eat leaves

    voraciously. Most species shed theirskinfour or five times astheir bodies grow, and they eventuallypupateinto an adultform.

    [15]Caterpillars grow very quickly; for instance, atobacco

    hornwormwill increase its weight ten-thousandfold in less thantwenty days. An adaptation that enables them to eat so much is amechanism in a specialized midgut that quickly transports ions to

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lycaenidaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lycaenidaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lycaenidaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregarioushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregarioushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregarioushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphytahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphytahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphytahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphytahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphytahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphytahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caterpillar&action=edit&section=6http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caterpillar&action=edit&section=6http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caterpillar&action=edit&section=6http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasture_Day_Mothhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasture_Day_Mothhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasture_Day_Mothhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pupahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pupahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pupahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-14http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-14http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tobacco_hornwormhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tobacco_hornwormhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tobacco_hornwormhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tobacco_hornwormhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pasture_day_moth_caterpillar_closeup.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pasture_day_moth_caterpillar_closeup.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pasture_day_moth_caterpillar_closeup.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pasture_day_moth_caterpillar_closeup.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tobacco_hornwormhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tobacco_hornwormhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-14http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pupahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasture_Day_Mothhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caterpillar&action=edit&section=6http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphytahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphytahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregarioushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lycaenidaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ant
  • 7/31/2019 Cat a Pillar

    9/26

    the lumen (midgut cavity), to keep the potassium level higher inthe midgut cavity than in the blood.

    [16]

    AGypsy Mothcaterpillar

    Most caterpillars are solelyherbivorous. Many are restricted toone species of plant, while others are polyphagous. A few,including theclothes moth, feed ondetritus. Most predatorycaterpillars feed on eggs of other insects, aphids, scale insects, orant larvae. Some are cannibals, and others prey on caterpillars ofother species (e.g. Hawai'ianEupithecia). A few are parasitic oncicadas or leaf hoppers.

    [17]Some Hawai'ian caterpillars

    (Hyposmocoma molluscivora) use silk traps to capture snails.[18]

    Many caterpillars are nocturnal. For example, the "cutworms" (oftheNoctuidaefamily) hide at the base of plants during the dayand only feed at night.

    [19]Others, such as gypsy moth (Lymantria

    dispar) larvae, change their activity patterns depending on densityand larval stage, with more diurnal feeding in early instars andhigh densities.

    [20]

    [edit]Economic effects

    Hypsipyla grandeladamagesmahoganyinBrazil

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-15http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-15http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-15http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gypsy_Mothhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gypsy_Mothhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gypsy_Mothhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbivorehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbivorehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbivorehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clothes_mothhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clothes_mothhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clothes_mothhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detritushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detritushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detritushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eupitheciahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eupitheciahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eupitheciahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-pierce-16http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-pierce-16http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-pierce-16http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyposmocoma_molluscivorahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-17http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-17http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-17http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noctuidaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noctuidaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noctuidaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-18http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-18http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-18http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lymantria_disparhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lymantria_disparhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-19http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-19http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-19http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caterpillar&action=edit&section=7http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caterpillar&action=edit&section=7http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caterpillar&action=edit&section=7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypsipyla_grandelahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypsipyla_grandelahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahoganyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahoganyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahoganyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hypsipyla.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hypsipyla.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gypsy_moth_caterpillar.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gypsy_moth_caterpillar.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hypsipyla.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hypsipyla.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gypsy_moth_caterpillar.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gypsy_moth_caterpillar.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hypsipyla.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hypsipyla.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gypsy_moth_caterpillar.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gypsy_moth_caterpillar.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hypsipyla.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hypsipyla.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gypsy_moth_caterpillar.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gypsy_moth_caterpillar.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahoganyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypsipyla_grandelahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caterpillar&action=edit&section=7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-19http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lymantria_disparhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lymantria_disparhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-18http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noctuidaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-17http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyposmocoma_molluscivorahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-pierce-16http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eupitheciahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detritushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clothes_mothhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbivorehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gypsy_Mothhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-15
  • 7/31/2019 Cat a Pillar

    10/26

    Caterpillars cause much damage, mainly by eating leaves. Thepropensity for damage is enhanced bymonoculturalfarmingpractices, especially where the caterpillar is specifically adaptedto the host plant under cultivation. Thecotton bollwormcauses

    enormous losses. Other species eat food crops. Caterpillars havebeen the target ofpest controlthrough the useofpesticides,biological controlandagronomicpractices. Manyspecies have become resistant topesticides. Bacterial toxinssuch as those fromBacillus thuringiensiswhich are evolved toaffect the gut of Lepidoptera have been used in sprays ofbacterial spores, toxin extracts and also by incorporating genes toproduce them within the host plants. These approaches are

    defeated over time by the evolution of resistance mechanisms inthe insects.

    [21]

    Plants evolve mechanisms of resistance to being eaten bycaterpillars, including the evolution of chemical toxins andphysical barriers such as hairs. Incorporatinghost plantresistance(HPR) through plant breeding is another approachused in reducing the impact of caterpillars on crop plants.

    [22]

    Some caterpillars are used in industry. Thesilkindustry is based

    on thesilkwormcaterpillar.

    [edit]Human health

    Buck Mothcaterpillar sting on a shin twenty-four hours after occurrence in southLouisiana. The reddish mark covers

    an area about 20mm at its widest point by about 70mm in length.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monoculturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monoculturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monoculturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotton_bollwormhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotton_bollwormhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotton_bollwormhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pest_controlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pest_controlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pest_controlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pesticidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pesticidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pesticidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_controlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_controlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_controlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agronomyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agronomyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agronomyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pesticidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pesticidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pesticidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacillus_thuringiensishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacillus_thuringiensishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacillus_thuringiensishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-20http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-20http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-20http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plant_defense_against_herbivoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plant_defense_against_herbivoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plant_defense_against_herbivoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plant_defense_against_herbivoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-21http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-21http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-21http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombyx_morihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombyx_morihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombyx_morihttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caterpillar&action=edit&section=8http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caterpillar&action=edit&section=8http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caterpillar&action=edit&section=8http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buck_Mothhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buck_Mothhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisianahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisianahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisianahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sting0310.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sting0310.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sting0310.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sting0310.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisianahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buck_Mothhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caterpillar&action=edit&section=8http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombyx_morihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-21http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plant_defense_against_herbivoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plant_defense_against_herbivoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-20http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacillus_thuringiensishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pesticidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agronomyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_controlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pesticidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pest_controlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotton_bollwormhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monoculture
  • 7/31/2019 Cat a Pillar

    11/26

    Caterpillar hair can be a cause of human health problems.Caterpillar hairs sometimes have venoms in them and speciesfrom approximately 12 families of moths or butterflies worldwidecan inflict serious human injuries ranging fromurticarialdermatitis

    andatopicasthmatoosteochondritis,consumptioncoagulopathy,renalfailure,andintracerebralhemorrhage.

    [23]Skin rashes are the most

    common, but there have been fatalities.[24]

    Lonomiais a frequentcause of envenomation in Brazil, with 354 cases reportedbetween 1989 and 2005. Lethality ranging up to 20% with deathcaused most often by intracranial hemorrhage.

    [25]

    Caterpillar hairs have also been known to causekerato-

    conjunctivitis. The sharp barbs on the end of caterpillar hairs canget lodged in soft tissues andmucus membranes such as theeyes. Once they enter such tissues, they can be difficult toextract, often exacerbating the problem as they migrate acrossthe membrane.

    [26]

    This becomes a particular problem in an indoor setting. The hairseasily enter buildings through ventilation systems and accumulatein indoor environments because of their small size, which makes

    it difficult for them to be vented out. This accumulation increasesthe risk of human contact in indoor environments.

    [27]

    [edit]

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urticariahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urticariahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urticariahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atopichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atopichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atopichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asthmahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asthmahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osteochondritishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osteochondritishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coagulopathyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coagulopathyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coagulopathyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brainhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brainhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemorrhagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemorrhagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-22http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-22http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-22http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-24http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-24http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-24http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keratinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keratinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conjunctivitishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mucus_membranehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mucus_membranehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-25http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-25http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-25http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-26http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-26http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-26http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caterpillar&action=edit&section=9http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caterpillar&action=edit&section=9http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caterpillar&action=edit&section=9http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caterpillar&action=edit&section=9http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-26http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-25http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mucus_membranehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conjunctivitishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keratinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-24http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar#cite_note-22http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemorrhagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brainhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coagulopathyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osteochondritishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asthmahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atopichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urticaria
  • 7/31/2019 Cat a Pillar

    12/26

  • 7/31/2019 Cat a Pillar

    13/26

  • 7/31/2019 Cat a Pillar

    14/26

  • 7/31/2019 Cat a Pillar

    15/26

  • 7/31/2019 Cat a Pillar

    16/26

    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 amothorbutterfly, 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

    andmothsare regularly found in regions where there is little, of

    any,humanpresence.

    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 it'spredatorsand to deter them from

    eating it.

    The caterpillar, like thebutterfly, is a herbivorousanimal but

    thedietsof the caterpillar and thebutterflyare 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 abutterfly. 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 ofinsectsthat pass them. One caterpillar species

    http://a-z-animals.com/animals/moth/http://a-z-animals.com/animals/moth/http://a-z-animals.com/animals/moth/http://a-z-animals.com/animals/butterfly/http://a-z-animals.com/animals/butterfly/http://a-z-animals.com/animals/butterfly/http://a-z-animals.com/animals/moth/http://a-z-animals.com/animals/moth/http://a-z-animals.com/animals/moth/http://a-z-animals.com/animals/human/http://a-z-animals.com/animals/human/http://a-z-animals.com/animals/human/http://a-z-animals.com/reference/glossary/#Predatorhttp://a-z-animals.com/reference/glossary/#Predatorhttp://a-z-animals.com/reference/glossary/#Predatorhttp://a-z-animals.com/animals/butterfly/http://a-z-animals.com/animals/butterfly/http://a-z-animals.com/animals/butterfly/http://a-z-animals.com/reference/glossary/#Animalhttp://a-z-animals.com/reference/glossary/#Animalhttp://a-z-animals.com/reference/diet/http://a-z-animals.com/reference/diet/http://a-z-animals.com/reference/diet/http://a-z-animals.com/animals/butterfly/http://a-z-animals.com/animals/butterfly/http://a-z-animals.com/animals/butterfly/http://a-z-animals.com/animals/butterfly/http://a-z-animals.com/animals/butterfly/http://a-z-animals.com/animals/butterfly/http://a-z-animals.com/animals/insect/http://a-z-animals.com/animals/insect/http://a-z-animals.com/animals/insect/http://a-z-animals.com/animals/insect/http://a-z-animals.com/animals/butterfly/http://a-z-animals.com/animals/butterfly/http://a-z-animals.com/reference/diet/http://a-z-animals.com/reference/glossary/#Animalhttp://a-z-animals.com/animals/butterfly/http://a-z-animals.com/reference/glossary/#Predatorhttp://a-z-animals.com/animals/human/http://a-z-animals.com/animals/moth/http://a-z-animals.com/animals/butterfly/http://a-z-animals.com/animals/moth/
  • 7/31/2019 Cat a Pillar

    17/26

    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 ofanimalbut the

    mainpredatorsof the caterpillar arebirdsand largeinsectssuch

    aswasps. Caterpillars are also commonly preyed upon

    by smallmammalsandreptiles.

    CaterpillarInsect. Butterflies and moths spend their

    childhood as caterpillars, called the larval stage.

    Caterpillars eat constantly. They outgrow their

    skin and shed it several times. After the last

    shedding, the caterpillar fastens to a branch and

    enters the pupa or chrysalis stage; moth

    caterpillars use a silk thread from their silk

    glands to spin a protective cocoon. Inside thecocoon, the pupa goes through a process called

    metamorphosis. The caterpillar's six front legs

    transform into the adult insect's legs, the other

    prolegs disappear, wings grow, and the insect emerges as a beautiful moth or butterfly.

    Gadgetspowered by Google

    http://a-z-animals.com/reference/glossary/#Animalhttp://a-z-animals.com/reference/glossary/#Animalhttp://a-z-animals.com/reference/glossary/#Animalhttp://a-z-animals.com/reference/glossary/#Predatorhttp://a-z-animals.com/reference/glossary/#Predatorhttp://a-z-animals.com/reference/glossary/#Predatorhttp://a-z-animals.com/animals/bird/http://a-z-animals.com/animals/bird/http://a-z-animals.com/animals/bird/http://a-z-animals.com/animals/insect/http://a-z-animals.com/animals/insect/http://a-z-animals.com/animals/wasp/http://a-z-animals.com/animals/wasp/http://a-z-animals.com/animals/wasp/http://a-z-animals.com/reference/glossary/#Mammalhttp://a-z-animals.com/reference/glossary/#Mammalhttp://a-z-animals.com/reference/glossary/#Mammalhttp://a-z-animals.com/reference/glossary/#Reptilehttp://a-z-animals.com/reference/glossary/#Reptilehttp://a-z-animals.com/reference/glossary/#Reptilehttp://www.google.com/webmasters/gadgets.htmlhttp://www.google.com/webmasters/gadgets.htmlhttp://fusion.google.com/ig/add?synd=open&source=ggyp&moduleurl=http://www.google.com/ig/modules/translatemypage.xmlhttp://fusion.google.com/ig/add?synd=open&source=ggyp&moduleurl=http://www.google.com/ig/modules/translatemypage.xmlhttp://www.google.com/webmasters/gadgets.htmlhttp://a-z-animals.com/reference/glossary/#Reptilehttp://a-z-animals.com/reference/glossary/#Mammalhttp://a-z-animals.com/animals/wasp/http://a-z-animals.com/animals/insect/http://a-z-animals.com/animals/bird/http://a-z-animals.com/reference/glossary/#Predatorhttp://a-z-animals.com/reference/glossary/#Animal
  • 7/31/2019 Cat a Pillar

    18/26

  • 7/31/2019 Cat a Pillar

    19/26

  • 7/31/2019 Cat a Pillar

    20/26

    Life Cycle of Butterflies and Moths

    As advanced insects, butterflies and moths have a "complete" life cycle. This means that

    there are four separate stages, each of which looks completely different and serves a

    different purpose in the life of the insect.

    English|Franais|Deutsch|Espaol|Italiano|Nederlands

    The egg is a tiny, round, oval, or cylindrical

    object, usually with fine ribs and other

    microscopic structures. The female attaches theegg to leaves, stems, or other objects, usually on

    or near the intended caterpillar food.

    http://www.kidsbutterfly.org/life-cyclehttp://www.kidsbutterfly.org/life-cyclehttp://www.kidsbutterfly.org/life-cycle/frenchhttp://www.kidsbutterfly.org/life-cycle/frenchhttp://www.kidsbutterfly.org/life-cycle/frenchhttp://www.kidsbutterfly.org/life-cycle/germanhttp://www.kidsbutterfly.org/life-cycle/germanhttp://www.kidsbutterfly.org/life-cycle/germanhttp://www.kidsbutterfly.org/life-cycle/spanishhttp://www.kidsbutterfly.org/life-cycle/spanishhttp://www.kidsbutterfly.org/life-cycle/spanishhttp://www.kidsbutterfly.org/life-cycle/italianhttp://www.kidsbutterfly.org/life-cycle/italianhttp://www.kidsbutterfly.org/life-cycle/italianhttp://www.kidsbutterfly.org/life-cycle/dutchhttp://www.kidsbutterfly.org/life-cycle/dutchhttp://www.kidsbutterfly.org/life-cycle/dutchhttp://www.kidsbutterfly.org/life-cycle/dutchhttp://www.kidsbutterfly.org/life-cycle/italianhttp://www.kidsbutterfly.org/life-cycle/spanishhttp://www.kidsbutterfly.org/life-cycle/germanhttp://www.kidsbutterfly.org/life-cycle/frenchhttp://www.kidsbutterfly.org/life-cycle
  • 7/31/2019 Cat a Pillar

    21/26

    The caterpillar (or larva) is the long, worm-like

    stage of the butterfly or moth. It often has an

    interesting pattern of stripes or patches, and it

    may have spine-like hairs. It is the feeding and

    growth stage. As it grows, it sheds its skin fouror more times so as to enclose its rapidly

    growing body.

    The chrysalis (or pupa) is the transformation

    stage within which the caterpillar tissues are

    broken down and the adult insect's structures are

    formed. The chrysalis of most species is brown

    or green and blends into the background. Many

    species overwinter in this stage.

    The adult (or imago) is colorful butterfly or

    moth usually seen. It is the reproductive and

    mobile stage for the species. The adults undergo

    courtship, mating, and egg-laying. The adult

    butterfly or moth is also the stage that migrates

    or colonizes new habitats. The butterfly pictured

    here is aMonarch, which is fairly large in size.

    The Monarch's wingspan is 3 3/8 - 4 7/8 inches

    (8.6 - 12.4 cm).

    Adult Anatomy

    http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=1892http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=1892http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=1892http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=1892
  • 7/31/2019 Cat a Pillar

    22/26

    The Caterpillar or LarvaA caterpillar is an eating machine. Its consists of a pair of jaws or mandibles for

    chewing plant matter followed by a long gut for digestion. It moves using three pairs

    of true legs (like all insects) and five further pairs of 'prolegs', sucker like structures

    with hooks on the end for gripping hold of the leaves and stems. Along the side of the

    larva are small openings, spiracles, nine pairs in all, through which respiration occurs.A modified set of salivary glands, spinnerets, produce silk, which is discussed later on

    this page. All butterfly larvae are hairy, some quite spectacularly covered with bushes

    ofsetae, they may well be off-putting to potential predators.

    When first hatched the larva or caterpillar is very small indeed, just a few millimeters

    long. These first instarlarvae look similar regardless of which species they belong to.

  • 7/31/2019 Cat a Pillar

    23/26

    Usually the caterpillar immediately searches out food and starts to eat, although some

    species overwinter at this stage.

    Due to the nature of

    the skeleton of insects

    they cannot grow inthe same way that we

    do. Every so often the

    caterpillar sheds its

    skin so that it can

    expand and grow to a

    larger size. This

    process is known

    as ecdysis and each

    time it happens the

    caterpillar moves on to

    a new instar. MostEuropean species molt

    four times and so their

    final stage is usually

    the fifth instar.

    Caterpillars feed

    for a large part of

    their time,

    consuming an ever

    increasing amount

    of foodplant as

    they get rapidlylarger. Some

    species prefer the

    cover of night to

    avoid unwanted

    attention,

    theComma,Polyg

    onia c-album,

    spends most of its

    time underneath

    leaves for the same

    reason. Theirexcrement, usually

    called frass, is

    dropped all over

    the place in small

    lumps.

    The larva of theLarge

    white,Pieris brassicae,

    pictured left demonstrates

    where the frass gets its colourfrom.

    Some butterfly species

    actually have a system of

    catapulting it away to deter

    predators, for example

    theSmall

    skipper,Thymelicus

    sylvestris. TheWhite

    admiral,Limenitis camilla ac

    tually covers itself in its ownfrass as disruptive

    camouflage to confuse

    predators.

    http://www.butterfly-guide.co.uk/species/nymphalids/ukm1.htmhttp://www.butterfly-guide.co.uk/species/nymphalids/ukm1.htmhttp://www.butterfly-guide.co.uk/species/nymphalids/ukm1.htmhttp://www.butterfly-guide.co.uk/species/whites/ukm5.htmhttp://www.butterfly-guide.co.uk/species/whites/ukm5.htmhttp://www.butterfly-guide.co.uk/species/whites/ukm5.htmhttp://www.butterfly-guide.co.uk/species/whites/ukm5.htmhttp://www.butterfly-guide.co.uk/species/skippers/ukm2.htmhttp://www.butterfly-guide.co.uk/species/skippers/ukm2.htmhttp://www.butterfly-guide.co.uk/species/skippers/ukm2.htmhttp://www.butterfly-guide.co.uk/species/skippers/ukm2.htmhttp://www.butterfly-guide.co.uk/species/nymphalids/uk2.htmhttp://www.butterfly-guide.co.uk/species/nymphalids/uk2.htmhttp://www.butterfly-guide.co.uk/species/nymphalids/uk2.htmhttp://www.butterfly-guide.co.uk/species/nymphalids/uk2.htmhttp://www.butterfly-guide.co.uk/species/nymphalids/uk2.htmhttp://www.butterfly-guide.co.uk/species/nymphalids/uk2.htmhttp://www.butterfly-guide.co.uk/species/skippers/ukm2.htmhttp://www.butterfly-guide.co.uk/species/skippers/ukm2.htmhttp://www.butterfly-guide.co.uk/species/whites/ukm5.htmhttp://www.butterfly-guide.co.uk/species/whites/ukm5.htmhttp://www.butterfly-guide.co.uk/species/nymphalids/ukm1.htm
  • 7/31/2019 Cat a Pillar

    24/26

    Two views of the fully grown Comma larva, Polygonia c-

    album.

    The right view shows the disruptive colouring. Which end

    would you go for if you were a bird?

  • 7/31/2019 Cat a Pillar

    25/26

    Caterpillars produce a silken

    thread from organs beside

    their jaws. This is used for a

    variety of purposes. It gives

    the caterpillars a good hold

    on their foodplant and some

    use it to rest between bouts of

    feeding.

    Others, for exampleSmall

    tortoiseshell(Aglais

    urticae) andPeacock(Inachis

    io) build a web in which the

    young caterpillars live

    together, presumably for

    defensive purposes, only

    dispersing when near fullygrown.

    When a caterpillar is fully grown it takes time to

    wander in search of a suitable pupation site. This

    stage is sometimes known as the prepupa. The larva

    will let all frass clear its system before pupation.

    Different families pupate in different ways. A

    Nymphalid (left) spins a silken pad and hangs head

    down using its anal claspers to grip on. A Pierid

    (right) however spins a pad then attaches itself with

    head upwards, spinning a silken girdle for support.

    A short while after the larva has attached itself the

    change to a pupa begins. It is thought a hormone is

    introduced into the system to begin this process.

    Butterfly Life Cycle - Egg: Adult butterflies lay their eggs on the leaves of their host plant. Each butterfly

    species has certain plants that their caterpillars must eat to live and grow. Some butterfly species are very

    http://www.butterfly-guide.co.uk/species/nymphalids/uk8.htmhttp://www.butterfly-guide.co.uk/species/nymphalids/uk8.htmhttp://www.butterfly-guide.co.uk/species/nymphalids/uk8.htmhttp://www.butterfly-guide.co.uk/species/nymphalids/uk8.htmhttp://www.butterfly-guide.co.uk/species/nymphalids/ukm3.htmhttp://www.butterfly-guide.co.uk/species/nymphalids/ukm3.htmhttp://www.butterfly-guide.co.uk/species/nymphalids/ukm3.htmhttp://www.butterfly-guide.co.uk/life/pup_ss/pup_ss.htmhttp://www.butterfly-guide.co.uk/life/pup_ss/pup_ss.htmhttp://www.butterfly-guide.co.uk/species/nymphalids/ukm3.htmhttp://www.butterfly-guide.co.uk/species/nymphalids/uk8.htmhttp://www.butterfly-guide.co.uk/species/nymphalids/uk8.htm
  • 7/31/2019 Cat a Pillar

    26/26

    specific to one or two plants while others may be able to eat a family of plants. Butterfly eggs are small in

    general (like the size of a pin head) and usually hatch in about 3-7 days.

    Butterfly Life Cycle - Caterpillar: The caterpillar hatches from the egg and usually the first thing it does

    is eat the egg shell. After that it will start consuming the host plant. The caterpillar will spend the next

    several weeks eating and growing since that is its main purpose.

    Butterfly Life Cycle - Chrysalis: This stage is often a called a cocoon, but generally a cocoon is the

    pupa stage of a moth while a chrysalis is the pupa stage of a butterfly. At this point the caterpillar has

    made its final molt into a pupa and in about 1-2 weeks an adult butterfly will emerge.

    Butterfly Life Cycle - Adult Butterfly: The adult butterfly will spend its time eating nectar and

    mating/laying eggs. Many butterflies only live about 2 weeks, however, some species such as the

    monarchs will overwinter by migrating south and thus will live for many months.

    The Caterpillar:

    Caterpillars are truly eating machines. Before they become a chrysalis their body mass will increase

    thousands of times. With all this rapid growing they end up molting several times before their final molt

    into a chrysalis. They grow their new exoskeleton beneath their current skin then when the time comes

    they split the old skin off. Many times they will eat the old skin before returning to their leaf-munching.

    Caterpillars will change their appearance sometimes dramatically between their molts. An example is the

    black swallowtail caterpillar. When it is very young it is black with a white saddle. By the time it becomes

    ready to pupate it has become a beautiful mix of stripes and dots with colors of yellow, white, black and

    green. That can make identification more difficult since their appearance depends on their age.

    Caterpillar identification is not really that difficult if you happen to know what plant they are eating. If you

    can identify the plant then it becomes much easier to identify the caterpillar since they are so particular to

    their own host plant. Just Google the "plant name" plus "caterpillar" or "host plant" and you are very likely

    to find the butterfly or moth species to which the caterpillar belongs.

    The butterfly life cycle is fascinating and caterpillars are great fun to raise into butterflies indoors. For

    more information about the caterpillar life cycle visitLife Cycle of a Butterfly.

    http://www.joyfulbutterfly.com/articles/lifecyclebutterfly.htmlhttp://www.joyfulbutterfly.com/articles/lifecyclebutterfly.htmlhttp://www.joyfulbutterfly.com/articles/lifecyclebutterfly.htmlhttp://www.joyfulbutterfly.com/articles/lifecyclebutterfly.html