Category Caterpillars

The majority of caterpillars are not poisonous, however, some accumulate poisons taken from the plants they eat. Others are covered in stinging or irritating hairs. Meet the caterpillars Cinnabar moth The cinnabar moth is a small black day-flying moth with…

A caterpillar becomes a chrysalis by struggling out of its exoskeleton and emerging in its new body form. While we think of the chrysalis as containing the caterpillar, the chrysalis is the caterpillar. What is a caterpillar? Caterpillars are the…

Caterpillars breathe through nine pairs of spiracles, small holes in their exoskeleton, located along their bodies. They do not have lungs, instead, the air enters into the spiracles by the force of air pressure. Take a breath Take a deep…

Caterpillars are eating machines, trying to grow as quickly as possible to become adults. Yet all the energy they pack away makes them tasty snacks for other hungry mouths. And without much in the way to defend themselves with, it’s…

Whatever age you are, there is something magical about watching a butterfly emerge from a cocoon. Such close encounters with nature can be particularly fascinating and inspiring for children. Many caterpillar rearing kits can be found in the shops, but…

Butterflies and moths do not take care of their young. Instead, they produce a large number in the hope some will survive to adulthood. The best strategy As humans, we often interpret the actions of other species through a lens…