1. Lepidoptera Larvae
(Also known as Caterpillars)

2. What is a caterpillar?
• The larval stage of the order of moths and
butterflies called Lepidoptera.
• Caterpillars pupate into moths and
butterflies.
• They are mainly herbivores. Moths feed on
trees and woody plants; Butterflies feed on
herbaceous plants.
• There are more than 13,000 species within
North America

3. Scientific Classification
• Kingdom: Animallia
• Phylum: Arthropoda
• Class: Insecta
• Order: Lepidoptera
• Family: More than 120 different
• Genera: More than 15000 different
• Species: Over 13000 in NA, estimated
170000 worldwide

4. Parts of A Caterpillar
•The body of the caterpillar is divided into 3 parts, the head, thorax, and
abdomen.
•The ocelli are simple eyes that detect light.
•Mandibles
•Setae are sensory hairs all over a caterpillar's body, these hairs give
caterpillars a sense of touch
•Spiracles are holes that caterpillars breathe through

5. Legs of a Caterpillar
• Caterpillars have 3 types of legs, thoracic legs, abdominal prolegs
and anal prolegs.
• Thoracic legs are three pairs of jointed legs with hooks that help the
caterpillar hold onto its food.
• Abdominal prolegs are stumpy legs with crochets (small grasping
hooks) that allow the caterpillar to climb and go up vertical surfaces.
Caterpillars usually have four pairs of abdominal prolegs .
• Anal prolegs are the last pair of legs on the abdomen that are
located at the very end of a caterpillar's abdomen.

6. Stages of Life
A caterpillar goes through four different stages of life. Each stage has a
different goal.
In the first stage of life, caterpillars are very small, round, oval or cylindrical
eggs. The female moth or butterfly attaches the egg to leaves or other objects.
These eggs are usually on or near caterpillar food.
In the second stage, the egg hatches and a caterpillar is born. This is a short
stage that involves feeding and growth. The caterpillar starts his work by
eating the leaf they were born on, then moves onto other leaves and plants.
In the third stage, the caterpillar form themselves into a pupa, which is also
known as chrysalis. This stage begins when the caterpillar has reached its full
growth. Inside of the chrysalis, caterpillars go through a metamorphic
transformation and the parts that make up a moth or butterfly emerge.
Tissues, limbs and organs of the caterpillar are changed by the time the pupa
is finished.
In the fourth stage, an adult butterfly or moth emerges from the chrysalis.
The main goal of this stage is to reproduce and includes
courtship, mating, and egg-laying.

7. Appearance
Caterpillars are classified in
families according to their
appearance.

8. Caterpillars that turn into butterflies tend
to be brighter, prettier and rather smooth
looking.
Swallowtails (papilionidae) and the brushfoots
(nymphalidae) are two common butterfly families.
- they include monarch and the American lady.

9. Moths seem to be dull in color and have hair
or “spikes”.
Cutworms(noctuidae) and prominents
(notodontidae) are common moth families.

10. Silk worms (Tortricidae) are the family of
moths that you could find in dry
cereal, rice, and grains.

11. Caterpillars appearance also
ties into their defense
mechanisms

12. Spicebrush swallowtail- disguise Some also have eyespots that
themselves as bird droppings. look kind of snake like.

13. Geometrid (Kent’s Geometer) or inch worms
do not have legs in between allowing them
to look like twigs.

14. Tussock Caterpillers (lymantridae) are
mainly covered with lots of hair and usually
bright colors and spots that deceives its
predators.

15. Economic Effects
• Cause much damage, mainly by eating
leaves.
– Other species eat food crops.
–target of pest control
• Many species have become
resistant
• Some caterpillars are used in
industry.industry.

16. Parasitiodism

17. Current Research
• Neurology and Metamorphosis
• Ecological effects on bird and deer
population
• Parasitiodism
• Toxicology and Chemical Defense
• Invasive species population effects and
projections
• Agricultural effects