You’d be able to learn some of the most interesting caterpillar facts for kids. Caterpillars are the soft-bodied insects that belong to the order Lepidoptera. The order Lepidoptera comprises moths and butterflies. They are often thought to be agricultural pests because they are extremely greedy in nature. They will eat just about every plants or leaves.
Caterpillar Facts for Kids
✎ Adult caterpillars reach a length of about 14 cm (1 mm).
✎ Some of the larvae of ants, wasps, and bees seem to look like caterpillars.
✎ They have pretty strong mandibles which are not only used in chewing leaves; they’re also used in manipulating silk.
✎ Caterpillar Diet: Nearly all caterpillars are herbivores. Only 1% of all caterpillars are insectivores and cannibals. Most caterpillars feed on plants. A few caterpillars eat eggs, insects, larvae, and aphids.
✎ Caterpillars possess quite small and insignificant antennae.
✎ They have 5 pairs of pro-legs except for sawfly larva which has of 5 pro-legs.
✎ Caterpillar Defense: They are rich in protein which is why they have quite many predators. However, caterpillars know how to protect themselves. Many a times, it makes its body size or parts bigger than they actually are. By so doing, caterpillars appear poisonous to their predators.
✎ Caterpillars have got the unique ability to eat for as much as time as they can. That is why they are often referred to as Eating Machines.
✎ The Costa Rican hairy caterpillar is usually recognized by its tiny bristles which it uses as self-defensive mechanism.
✎ Caterpillar Predators: Predators of caterpillars are paper wasps and European pied flycatcher.
✎ While many caterpillars live for only 4 – 5 weeks but few caterpillars can have a lifespan of 5 years.
