Caterpillars: common, unusual, beautiful and toxic species, names, body structure, development, transformation into a butterfly, description, photo. Where do the caterpillars live, how they eat, how they multiply? Interesting facts about caterpillars

This article describes the most interesting types of caterpillars.

A caterpillar is a larva of an insect from the scales detachment. The dimensions of the caterpillars can be different - from a few millimeters to 15 centimeters. These larvae are even poisonous, and therefore, touching some species with your hands is life -threatening. In this article we will consider what caterpillars are - beautiful, unusual, huge, with spikes, with a horn, small, shaggy and others.

Where do the caterpillars live?

Most caterpillars settled in the ground. Some of these insects live in reservoirs, and separate ones - both on soil and in water, adapting to existence everywhere. There are two categories of larvae depending on the conditions of existence: secretive and leading free lifestyle. The secretive include such types of larvae:

The second variety is caterpillars that live on the leaves, which they themselves eat. These are most types of larvae of the largest butterflies.

What do the caterpillars eat?

The insect that has just been born eats the upper layer of the egg in which it grew. After that, the "worm" begins its main food. Each type of larvae has its own diet. Most caterpillars eat vegetation: fruits and various green mass. Larvae can be conditionally divided into 4 categories depending on their feed base:

• Polyphages - They use all plants without exception. This type includes, for example, caterpillars of night butterflies.
• Oligophages - They prefer to use specific plants. For example, umbrella shrubs.
• Monophages - They eat only one species of plants. For example, only mulberry leaves are consumed by mulberry silkworm larvae.
• Xylophages - The feed base of this species is wood.

It is worth noting certain types of caterpillars, which will not be able to combine into some category, since there are few of them, but they exist:

• Caterpillars gray or blackbarn moths Only mushrooms are eaten from the type of tinder fungi or lichens. A poisonous dispute is the main type of nutrition of such larvae.
• There are representatives of larvae in the world who eat the external cover of animals: particles of horns, wool, skin, hair.
• Some types of caterpillars use wax and even honey.
• Predatory insects - There are few representatives of this species. Cases of predation are if the population increases greatly and there is a lack of ordinary food. For example, the larvae of the cotton scoop attack the caterpillars of their species, which are weakened or sick. Some species eat aphids, small insects and worms. To do this, they have special hunting devices in the form of a large mouth, sticky legs and so on.
• Parasitizing larvae settle on representatives of specific insects. Some types of larvae settle on caterpillars. Because of this, the host insect is dying.
• Separate types of caterpillars live in ant heaps. In this case, their main food is small insects. Attracting the victim occurs using special sounds that the larva or special sweet liquid emits, which highlights its secretory functions.

The diet of each type of caterpillars has its own, and it depends on the category of these larvae, their image of existence and habitats.

Caterpillar body structure: description, photo

Any caterpillar consists of such parts of the body:

• The body
• Head
• Breast
• Abdomen
• Pairs of legs
• Spiracle
• Rotary organs
• Eyes

The body Such an insect consists of a head, abdomen, chest and several pairs of legs.

The structure of the head Different species of insects may be different - from the most unusual with the "horns" to the real imitation of other residents of the Earth, for example, snakes and even fabulous dragons.

The head of the larvae It consists of six fused segments that form a solid capsule. In the area between the forehead and the eyes, the cheek zone stands out. From below the head is an occipital hole in the form of a heart.

Head Most caterpillars have round, although it can be triangular or rectangular. The parietal part usually appears, forming a “horn”. Antennas grow on the sides of the head.

The oral apparatus Such insects have well -formed bloating upper jaws with cloves, thanks to which the “worm” shouts or breaks food tissue. Bigorochki are located from the inside, which help to chew food. Saliva is converted into special spinning secretion.

The eyes of the larvae - This is the simplest visual system. The eye of this insect consists of one lens. Eyes are on the head and are located one after another along the arched line. Some insects may have one eye, but it has a complex structure and merged from the five simple lenses. There may also be another eye located from the inside of the arc. It turns out almost every caterpillar has 5-6 pairs of eyes.

The body of this insect is well mobile thanks to the soft tissues of the shell. It consists of separate departments. The anal hole is closed with blades with varying degrees of development.

Spiracle Caterpillars is a stigma that is on the chest. In larvae living in water, the respiratory system is tracheal gills.

Each caterpillar has several pairs of legs, some of them end in specific hooks. On the legs that are located on the chest, there is a sole with a claw. With its help, the insect moves, protruding or drawing a stomach.

The body of the insect is necessarily covered with hairs, outgrowths or cuticle of various shapes: stars, needles, cones or bristles. Womb villi can be located both in the form of separate threads, and in the form of bundled clots on the back or on the tail. Almost all fluffy caterpillars are very beautiful and then transformed into the most attractive butterflies.

Caterpillar development: description, photo

Depending on the species, the larva of the butterfly can transform into a flying beauty from several weeks to several years. In the northern regions, the warm season does not last long, so the cycle of the life of caterpillars can last two years. Some types of larvae live in the stage of caterpillars up to 12-14 years.

During its development, the larva changes in size and appearance. For example, from an ugly and naked larva turns into a fluffy caterpillar. Then the caterpillar turns into a doll, from which a beautiful butterfly then appears.

Transformation into a butterfly caterpillar: description, photo

The doll usually has a cylindrical or round shape. The color of the cylinder is monophonic - green or light green. It can have a pattern on the surface in the form of stripes, points or stains. When the butterfly is in the doll stage, she already has wings, legs and proboscis.

How do the caterpillars multiply?

The caterpillars themselves are the stage of reproduction of butterflies. If we talk about the propagation of caterpillars that do not turn into butterflies, then such insects lay eggs. The masonry occurs on the leaves, in the trunks of trees, in the ground or reservoirs - depending on the species. The development of the larva in the egg occurs for several weeks. Then a small caterpillar appears.

Huge, thick caterpillars: name, characteristic, how it looks, which butterfly turns out, description, photo

The world's largest caterpillar is peacocks. This thick bluish-green caterpillar. When you look at her, it seems that the body is sprinkled with white powder. This larva grows up to 15 centimeters in length. From such a caterpillar, a large and beautiful butterfly peacock eye is obtained. The furry brown head and two large circles on the wings resembling peacock eyes make the butterfly attractive and memorable.

Royal Civilonium (lat. Citheronia regalis) - A caterpillar growing up to 15 cm in length. It lives in North America. This large caterpillar with brown spikes in the form of horns often crawls out of thickets and scares its appearance. It turns out a beautiful red butterfly with yellow spots on the wings and shaggy body.

Big Harpy Cerura Vinula (Dicranura Vinula)  — the length of this caterpillar is small compared to previous species - no more than 8 centimeters. But her frightening appearance and great thickness horror are horrified by everyone who sees such an insect. The brown color of the head with black eyes is beautifully complemented by a red rim, a wide body with a black strip and white splashes - all this attracts attention, but is a little frightening. A butterfly from this caterpillar is furry with rowing antennae and a pattern on wings.

Pacific tree tree (lat. Cossus cossus) - a huge brown caterpillar with an orange abdomen. Reaches size from 8 to 12 centimeters. It breaks through the moves in the old wood and feeds on its fabrics. The butterfly of this caterpillar is not impressive with its appearance, but it affects a huge scale of wings - up to 10 cm. Velvety wings with black stripes and “veins”, as well as white spots resemble the surface of the old wood. This is a great disguise from enemies.

Adamova Head (lat. Acherontia atropos) or caterpillar-brothers -reaches a length of up to 10-14 cm. Adults can have a different color: yellow, bright green or brown. Strips of blue color are drawn across each segment. Taurus with blue dots and a black breathing looks stylish and elegant. The Brazhnik butterfly looks a little frightening: large, furry, black color. It is clearly visible on the vegetation of bright color.

Unusual caterpillars: name, characteristic, how it looks, which butterfly turns out, description, photo

A person attracts everything unusual and beautiful. Many people do not like caterpillars, because they think that these are ordinary “worms” - unremarkable and crawling in trees. But in the world there are many beautiful and unusual caterpillars that attract the eyes with their bright color, both in the larva and the butterfly.

Brahmin Moth)- They live in China, Japan and India. Live on the trunks of small shrubs. Taurus is painted with black and orange, which gives the larva of uniqueness. They turn into a butterfly that is active at night. It has a noble beautiful brown-black color of wings and bodies.

Mahaon (Spicebush Swallowtail)-During its development, the caterpillar changes the color three times: first it is brown, then dark green, and then turns into a yellow-orange beauty with the head of a snake. As a result, the caterpillar turns into a butterfly of rich black color - beautiful and stylish.

Black Mahaon (Black Swallowtail)-The white-black-yellow caterpillar lives in North America. Loves nectar plants. It turns into a very beautiful butterfly color green metallic with blue overflows.

Dalceride (Acraga Coa)- This caterpillar is similar to the creation of glassblower - transparent, like glass and delicate, like crystal. Its simple and at the same time unusual coloring with orange interspersed attracts the attention of people, but it is not very noticeable for vegetation. It turns into a butterfly in an orange “fur coat”.

Caterpillar "Mol-Wedema" (Phobetron Pithecium)- It lives on fruit trees. It is a real slug, since it does not have special legs, and it moves on the sole, which is located on the abdomen. It turns into a furry butterfly brown, covered with silky hairs.

Greta from, or glass butterfly (Glass Winged Butterfly)- An ordinary caterpillar with a yellow strip on a body transforms into a beautiful transparent butterfly. The glass effect is due to the lack of colored scales.

Sluggage (ISA Textula)- This yellow large caterpillar as a real mucus leaves traces on the surface of leaves and trunks. Vors on the sides help to defend themselves from enemies. A butterfly with velvet wings looks like an ordinary moth.

Pipevine Swallowtail)- lives in the dense thickets of taiga. It is notable for its red spots on Taurus tubercles. In the shadow of dense crowns of trees and vegeting, the taiga is inconspicuous. Blue butterfly with bright rainbow coloring  black wings are very beautiful. It feeds on the nectar of the Taiga flowers.

Caterpillar from the Pavlon -Eyes family (Attacus Atlas)- A large white caterpillar peacock -eyed, as if hypnched and frozen in its original state. The butterfly is very large with brown-orange wings and an original pattern on the wings.

Beautiful caterpillars: name, characteristic, how it looks, which butterfly turns out, description, photo

Even nature made even certain types of caterpillars beautiful so that we can admire their originality. Their luxurious hairs, an interesting color are delighted and I want to look at such a phenomenon of nature without taking a look.

Saturny Io (Automeris Io)- Beautiful caterpillar with green villi in the form of pompons. It is impossible even to imagine that the larva with such a color turns into a red butterfly. She seems to look at her black eyes located on pink-yellow lower wings.

Blue Morfo (Blue Morpho)- It is impossible to pass by at the sight of such a caterpillar. I would like to consider every color stroke on the surface of her body. She is a dream for any artist. It turns into a small butterfly blue.

Sluggage (ISOCHAETES Beutenmuelleri)- It is similar to a jewelry made of blue glass covered with artificial snow. Fabrication is given to the caterpillar villi in the form of needles. They are as if covered with real hoarfrost. The butterfly is an ordinary brown moth.

Caterpillars with spikes: name, characteristic, how it looks, which butterfly turns out, description, photo

Caterpillars with spikes do not look frightening. They are beautiful, bright and interesting, they can be examined for hours. But it is better not to touch such caterpillars with their hands, since many species may turn out to be poisonous, and spikes are their weapons to protect against the enemy through which they produce poison.

Caterpillar "burning rose" - Her spikes are located on the cutters of Taurus. In the process of its development, it turns into a delicate moth with iridescent beige and greenish wings.

AGLAIS URTICAE spectatics -a caterpillar, similar to a piece of black coal, turns into a beautiful butterfly peacock eye - bright and with an interesting color. It lives in America and the mountainous forests of Asia.

Dryas Julia - Pavlinglazka caterpillar (Attacus atlas) Brown-white caterpillar with black spikes. It lives in Thailand and on the island of Java. It turns into one of the largest butterflies of the world, the wingspan of which reaches 25 centimeters.  

Caterpillars with a horn on the head or tail: the name, characteristic, how it looks, which butterfly turns out, description, photo

Caterpillars with a horn are often taken for space aliens, as they have an unusual appearance. But these insects are beautiful and interesting in their own way.

Eye -shaped brand- Green caterpillar with a blue horn. It lives in North America. Butterflies that are obtained from such a caterpillar are listed in the Red Book. They are on the verge of extinction, as people catch and sell them.

Winery- It is found in our latitudes. Taurus is elastic, thick, bright green. The butterfly is beautiful, pink decoration of beige velvet on wings and body looks delightful.

Linden brand (Mimas tiliae)- It also prevails in our latitudes, but lives in South America, Asia. Green color in a small white point with pink spills. The horn is multi -colored.

Small caterpillars: name, characteristic, how it looks, which butterfly turns out, description, photo

The color of the caterpillar is usually the same as in the plants with which they eat. But in the world there are microscopic caterpillars that can be disguised as any flower, not only with color, but also in shape.

Nemoriinae Tribe flower caterpillar- You might immediately think that the caterpillar takes the shape of a flower petals, but this is not so. It simply attaches with the help of silk thread, which is produced by saliva, petals to its body. As a result, it is inconspicuous on any inflorescence. From such a caterpillar, an ordinary moth is obtained, which no longer knows how to disguise as a larva.

The smallest caterpillars in the world are considered caterpillars of plastic moths (Tinela bissellella ). Their dimensions do not reach a pair of millimeters, but they bring a lot of harm. If such a larva settles in the closet, then within a week it can ruin all the clothes, eating hair, furs and skin.

At the end of the phase of its development, it turns into an unpretentious butterfly of gray color. Therefore, if you notice such a moth, then know that the matter has already been done, and in your closet you need to look for a spoiled thing.

Fluffy, furry caterpillars: name, characteristic, how it looks, which butterfly turns out, description, photo

Beautiful and unusual fluffy and furry caterpillars were described above. All these species delight with their original appearance. Here are a few more caterpillars that look like fluffy and cute lumps of fur or wool.

Caterpillar Megalopyge Opeercularis -One of the varieties of a caterpillar-cake. It seems that her body is a continuous thick hair, but so the caterpillar is masked. It turns into an interesting moth with velvety wings. Charma give light waves on the wings and the furry “mane” on the head.

Spotted Apatelodes- The only caterpillar “blonde” in its kind. Black spots of the body are visible through white villi. The body itself is yellow. It turns into an elegant moth with unusual wings.

Striped caterpillars: name, characteristic, how it looks, which butterfly turns out, description, photo

The caterpillar is a pike-up, ordinary - Poles the leaves of large trees and shrubs. It lives in our latitudes, as well as in America and Canada. The butterfly looks like an ordinary gray moth with big eyes and a furry abdomen.

Bear Cross -It looks like a zebra, but she has black and orange stripes. This striped caterpillar lives in New Zealand, North America and Australia. It feeds on shrubs of the crossman, so because of such a diet they become poisonous. A butterfly with a very interesting dark color leads a daily lifestyle. The line and stains on the black wings give the appearance of this insect bewitching charm and originality.

Sailor-Mahaon - This type of caterpillars are the larvae of one of the most beautiful species of butterflies in the world. They live in England, America, Ireland. Listed in the Red Book. The butterfly Mahaon is a real decoration of fields and forests. It is more beautiful than any flower or other insect - elegant, bright and unique.

Silver hole (Phalera Bucephala) -Brown-black stripes on a body covered with many thin villi. It lives in Russia, Turkey, some countries of Eastern Europe, as well as in Scandinavia.

Caterpillars with a big head and eyes: the name, characteristic, how it looks, which butterfly turns out, description, photo

There are caterpillars in the world that resemble alien. It seems that they came to us from space. Their head looks like an alien's head. This helps larvae scare away predators. It is enough for them only to stand in the pose and all the enemies immediately run away.

Cosenic-cosmonaut, oleandra bribe daphnis nerii - In our latitudes, such a caterpillar is called a tomato braveman. It can be not only green, but also red with blue dots, similar to the eyes. The butterfly looks like a moth, but its color makes you admire.

Brazhnik caterpillar, butterfly-megalopigid - It lives in North America and Australia. It is impossible to pass by such a caterpillar, since her large spots on the head, similar to her eyes, make you pay attention to this caterpillar. A very beautiful butterfly of this hawk, and it feels like she gathered for a festive ball-a white-red dress and a white cape with black dots.

The caterpillar of the Brazhnik Low - It lives in southern and central Europe. It is called an assistant in the fight against weeds, as it quickly destroys the plantations of different species of such plants. The butterfly of this hawk is like a large moth with beige wings and brown and red interspersed.

Caterpillars with dots, spots: name, characteristic, how it looks, which butterfly turns out, description, photo

Another type of unusual coloring of the caterpillars Taurus is dots and spots. Such larvae look no less unusual than stripes and space caterpillars.

Violet caterpillar (Insects Caterpillar Cover) -Many are surprised where such a name is, because the larva itself is brown-black. But she got such a name thanks to the butterfly into which she turns. It lives in the forests of Russia, America and Scandinavia.

Brazhnik Pinemrennniki Celerio Galii Rott -A brown-green caterpillar with a red tail or horn lives in our latitudes. The butterfly looks like a bright moth that leads a day lifestyle.

The caterpillar of the butteron butteron - It lives in Norway, Finland and Sweden. Bright orange spots on the caterpillars and red spots on the wings of butterflies warn that the insect is poisonous. In contact with human skin causes the appearance of a rash and irritation. Even watery blisters may appear.

Poisonous caterpillars: name, characteristic, how it looks, which butterfly turns out, description, photo

A person should be afraid of poisonous caterpillars. They cannot be taken in your hands and even come close. Many species cause a burning sensation on the skin when in contact with an insect body, while others can even be life -threatening: breathing rhythm is disturbed, a rapid heartbeat, headache and so on.

Flanel Mole (Flannel Moth)- This poisonous caterpillar looks like a little hamster. No less beautiful and her butterfly. But it is strictly forbidden to touch her hands, as it causes an allergic reaction and even a feeling of suffocation.

Caterpillar "Lazy Clown" (lat. Lonomia oblique)- lives in Uruguay. A very poisonous insect that selects a special natural toxin. The poison of this caterpillar causes skin burns. In addition, toxin can penetrate the internal organs through the skin and cause hemorrhage, for example, in the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, and also causes swelling of the lung and violation of the central nervous system.

Caterpillar Saturni Maya (Hemileuca Maia) -coated with hollow spikes, when in contact with which there is a burning sensation on the skin, rash and nausea. The appearance of this caterpillar should scare away, because the crawling furry insect with black spikes in any person will be disgusted. Such a caterpillar lives in our latitudes on oaks and willows. A butterfly from this caterpillar also turns out black with a furry body, but it is not poisonous.

The caterpillar of the Volnyanka (Orgyia Leucostigma)- It will not work to pass by such a caterpillar, since it is noticeable thanks to the red head and white body. Eats everything green and wood in its path. If you touch the hairs of this insect, a burn and irritation immediately occur. The rash may not pass within a few weeks.

The caterpillar of the prayer "White Cedar"- It lives on a cedar tree with several groups at the same time, eating everything to a single leaf. Contact with the hairs of this caterpillar causes irritation, but not all people. If a person has a sensitive skin, then most likely he will feel a burn and a rash will appear.

Remember: Beautiful caterpillars are almost always poisonous. Their bright color was created in order to scare away predators. Therefore, if you see, for example, a caterpillar blue with an orange head or a green caterpillar with bright red, blue or black spots, try not to touch such insects with your hands and leave them away.

Interesting facts about caterpillars

Caterpillars are amazing insects. Ordinary people do not know much about them, and think that these are ordinary worms that crawl through the trees. Only endomologists know everything about caterpillars. Here are interesting facts about these insects:

• Since ancient times, entomophage or eating insects flourishes on Earth. Caterpillars occupy a place of honor among gourmets. They are eaten raw, dried, fried, with sauces, omelettes.
• Caterpillar silk carp is specially bred in many countries. Of the 100 kg of cocoons, 9 kilograms of silk thread are obtained.
• The color of any caterpillar imitates the habitat of this insect. This is a great means of disguise and protection.
• There are 4000 muscles in the body of the track. For comparison, a person has only 629 of them.
• In the first two months of life, the caterpillar eats a lot of plant foods, which helps it increase in size to 20,000 times from the original weight.
• The caterpillars who live in the northern latitudes do not have time to go through the entire development cycle in one season, and therefore they remain wintering in cocoons. It is worth noting that in this state, a caterpillar can withstand frost with a temperature of up to -70 degrees.
• Some types of caterpillars live in anthills, making special sounds and highlighting enzymes. Ants think that the caterpillar is their uterus, so they feed her and take care of her.
• Separate types of caterpillars become poisonous due to the food that is consumed. For example, the caterpillars of the Cross Cross feed on a poisonous crossman. Their body begins to secrete toxins, which is why these insects become a threat to animals and people.

Caterpillars are amazing creatures of nature. There are many different species, and almost all of them turn into beautiful and elegant butterflies, which are an adornment of our lives.

Video: The Largest Caterpillar Ever