Caterpillar species names. Little known facts about caterpillars. Butterfly pest twirl leaf

The caterpillar is the larva of an insect belonging to the Lepidoptera order - butterflies, moths, moths.

The structure and photo of caterpillars - varieties

The body length of the caterpillar, depending on the variety, can be from a few millimeters to 12 cm. It consists of a body, head, eyes, oral apparatus and limbs. On the body, the thoracic and abdominal sections are clearly distinguishable, and on them there are several pairs of legs.

The body of the caterpillar consists of segments separated by narrow furrows. An anus is located on the body, and a spiracle is located on the chest.

Most species of caterpillars have three pairs of legs on their chest, each of which has a sole and a claw - moving, the caterpillar retracts and releases claws, and five pairs of false abdominal limbs, at the ends of which are small hooks.

The body is “dressed” in a soft shell, covered, depending on the variety, with outgrowths, hairs or relief formations - cuticles in the form of stars, spikes or granules, and the hairs of the caterpillars grow separately or in bunches. Caterpillars molt several times during their life.

The head consists of six fused parts that form a capsule. At the bottom of the head is the occipital foramen, shaped like a heart, and in some species of caterpillars, its parietal parts protrude and form “horns”. Antennae grow on the sides of the head.

Eye in caterpillars 5-6 pairs - several simple eyes, each of which consists of one lens, are arranged in an arc one after another or connected into one complex eye of five simple ones.

The mouth of the caterpillar is a gnawing apparatus, the upper jaw is powerful - there are teeth with which the insect gnaws or tears food.

Inside the mouth apparatus there are tubercles with which the caterpillar chews food, and the glands that produce saliva are a kind of spinning mill - in this way the silkworm caterpillar releases the thread.

Life cycle

Different types of caterpillars live from several weeks to several years. For example, the larvae of butterflies that live in the north do not have time to develop in a short summer season, they hibernate until the next one - the fluke butterfly, whose habitat is the Arctic, exists in the form of a caterpillar for an average of 13 years.

During the life cycle, caterpillars undergo amazing metamorphoses - from increasing in size and changing color to turning from an individual with bare skin to furry and vice versa.

When life cycle comes to an end, caterpillars pupate, then butterflies hatch from pupae.

Habitat

For most species of caterpillars, the habitat is the surface of the earth, some species live in water, for example, caterpillars of broad-winged moths, and the larvae of the Hawaiian moth can exist both in air environment, as well as underwater.

According to the conditions of existence, these insect larvae are divided into two categories - hiding and leading a lifestyle in plain sight.

Hidden presented:

leafworms - these caterpillars live on trees, existing in twisted leaves;
frugivorous - live in fruits and vegetables;
drillers - the habitat of the stem parts of trees and roots;
miners - habitats are foliage, branches, fruit and vegetable peels, plant buds - caterpillars make moves;
gall formers - they cause damage to plant tissues, the occurrence of neoplasms on them;
living underground;
aquatic - habitats are water bodies.

Leading a free lifestyle - openly exist on plants, mainly caterpillars of large varieties of butterflies.

Feeding caterpillars of different species

As soon as the caterpillar hatches from the egg, it eats its shell. Then, throughout life, most caterpillar species feed on greens and fruits.

According to the method of feeding, caterpillars are divided into four types:

polyphages - eat any plants;
oligophages - eat plants of any one species, for example, swallowtail caterpillars feed only on umbrellas;
monophages - feed exclusively on a plant of one species, for example, larvae silkworm eat only mulberry leaves
xylophages - feed on wood.

Moth caterpillars feed on lichens, some species even eat poisonous ergot.

There are species that devour food of animal origin - exfoliated particles of skin, hair, wool, for example, larvae of domestic moths that settle in wardrobes.

And the caterpillars of moth butterflies eat only honey and wax.

There are also predatory caterpillars, these include the larvae of the bear butterfly and cotton scoop - they attack weak relatives and eat them.

And the food for the caterpillars of the raspberry, solar and fireweed narrow-nosed moths are worms - small insects 3-6 mm in size. Caterpillars of pigeons feed on aphids, moths feed only on insects.

There are varieties that exist together with ants, for example, caterpillars of pigeons. They live in anthills and chemically keep ants under control - they secrete a specific sweet liquid, and even make sounds to attract them.

caterpillars and man

Most species of caterpillars are safe for humans. But there are also poisonous species. From accidentally touching them on human skin, redness and swelling occur, and a rash may appear.

The secretions of some caterpillars make a person drowsy, his head starts to hurt, his temperature rises and arterial pressure, there is a disorder of the gastrointestinal tract.

Therefore, no matter how tempting it is to touch a beautiful caterpillar without understanding their varieties, you should not do this. TO poisonous species include, for example, coquette caterpillars, oak larvae of the slug, "lazy clown".

Of the most useful to man, the silk caterpillar is best known, it is also called silkworm. Its habitat is the northeastern regions of Russia and China, the southern territories of Primorye. The length of her body is about 7 cm, it is covered with hairy warts of blue and brown colors, and at the end of the development cycle, this caterpillar turns yellow.

Its food is mulberry leaves. Since the 27th century BC, these caterpillars have been used in sericulture - 9 kg of silk thread is extracted from 100 kg of cocoons.

But there are also species that, while not dangerous to human health, harm him by eating agricultural crops.

Caterpillar Pest Control

There are three groups of ways to deal with caterpillars that devour crops of vegetables, fruits and fruits.

Mechanical method - when the caterpillars are harvested by hand, their wintering masonry is cut off.

One of the most effective methods- catching them with adhesive-coated belts or traps filled with bait liquid.

The biological method is when birds are attracted to agricultural fields and orchards that eat caterpillars, arranging feeders and birdhouses for birds.

caterpillar snake

The chemical method is the most effective, but after a while the caterpillars get used to the composition of the preparations and stop dying, so the chemical method is alternated with the biological one.

In summer cottages, to combat the invasion of caterpillars, infusions of herbs are used - black henbane (it helps well against the caterpillars of the ubiquitous cabbage butterfly), hemlock (it is effective against caterpillars attacking fruit trees), mountaineer pepper, elderberry.

In some countries, caterpillars are considered a gastronomic delicacy; gourmets eat caterpillars of about 80 species of butterflies.

They are eaten raw and fried, dried on hot coals, boiled, salted, cooked with them in an omelette and made from caterpillars the basis for various sauces.

The color of the caterpillar imitates the colors of the surrounding nature of the habitat - in this way the caterpillars camouflage themselves from enemies.

The smallest caterpillars on the planet are moth caterpillars of various species. For example, in a clothes moth, the length of a newly hatched larva is 1 mm.

And the longest caterpillar is the Indian peacock butterfly. These are caterpillars of a blue-green color, it seems that their bodies are covered with dust white color, they reach 12 cm.

Like any other Living being, the caterpillar takes its place in the ecosystem of the planet and plays an important role in it.

caterpillar photo

A caterpillar is a larva of a butterfly, moth or moth - insects from the Lepidoptera order.

Caterpillar - description, characteristics, structure and photo. What does a caterpillar look like?

torso

The length of the caterpillar, in accordance with the variety, varies from a few millimeters to 12 cm, as in individual specimens of the Saturnia butterfly (peacock-eye).

The body of the caterpillar consists of a well-defined head, thoracic, abdominal sections and several pairs of limbs located on the chest and abdomen.

Head

The head of the caterpillar is represented by six fused segments that form a rigid capsule. Between the forehead and the eyes, the cheek area is conditionally distinguished, at the bottom of the head there is an occipital foramen, which looks like a heart.

The round head shape is typical for most caterpillars, although there are exceptions. For example, many have a triangle-shaped head, while other species have a rectangular-shaped head.

The parietal parts can strongly protrude above the head, forming a kind of “horns”. Small antennae, consisting of 3 consecutive joints, grow on the sides of the head.

oral apparatus

All caterpillars are distinguished by a gnawing type of mouth apparatus. The upper jaws of the insect are well formed: their upper edge contains denticles designed for nibbling or tearing food. Inside there are tubercles that perform the function of chewing food. Salivary glands converted into specific spinning (silk-separating).

Eyes

The eyes of caterpillars are a primitive visual apparatus containing a single lens. Usually several simple eyes are located one after another, in an arc, or they form 1 compound eye, fused from 5 simple ones. Plus 1 eye is located inside this arc. Thus, in total, caterpillars have 5-6 pairs of eyes.

torso

The body of the caterpillar consists of segments separated by grooves and is dressed in a soft shell, which provides the body with maximum mobility. The anus is surrounded by special lobes with varying degrees of development.

The respiratory organ of insects, the spiracle, is a stigma located on the chest. Only in species living in water, spiracles are replaced by tracheal gills.

Most caterpillars have 3 pairs of thoracic limbs and 5 pairs of false ventral legs. The ventral limbs end in small hooks. On each thoracic limb there is a sole with a claw, which the caterpillar retracts or protrudes when moving.

Paws of the caterpillar

Absolutely naked caterpillars do not exist: the body of each is covered with various formations - outgrowths, hairs or a well-grown cuticle. Cuticle growths are star-shaped, spikes or granules that look like small hairs or bristles. Moreover, the bristles grow in a strictly defined way, characteristic of a particular family, genus, and even species.

Outgrowths consist of relief skin formations-tubercles, similar to flat, round or oval warts and spines. Caterpillar hairs are represented by thin individual threads or bundles.

Caterpillar development

Depending on the species, the caterpillar can develop from several weeks to several years. Caterpillars of northern species of butterflies do not have time to complete their development cycle in one season, so they hibernate (diapause) until next summer.

For example, a butterfly butterfly living in the Arctic Circle can stay in the caterpillar stage up to 12-14 years.

Throughout its development cycle, the caterpillar undergoes not only significant age-related changes in the size and color of the body, but also striking metamorphoses.

For example, the transformation of an almost naked caterpillar into a furry one or vice versa.

At the end of the development cycle, the caterpillar turns into a chrysalis, from which a butterfly then emerges.

caterpillars molt

Each caterpillar molts several times over the entire period of existence. The smallest number caterpillars-miners are susceptible to molting (2 times). The standard number of links is 4, although certain types molt 5 or 7 times. Unfavourable conditions environment cause a sharp increase in the number of molts, for example, a clothes moth caterpillar can molt from 4 to 40 times. It has also been observed that females shed more than males.

The caterpillar secretes sweet nectar which the ant drinks.

Types of caterpillars - photos and names

Among the great variety of different caterpillars, the following varieties are of greatest interest:

cabbage caterpillar or cabbage butterfly caterpillar (cabbage white) (Pieris brassicae)

lives throughout of Eastern Europe, northern Africa to Japanese islands and also introduced to South America. The caterpillar is 3.5 cm long, has 16 legs and is distinguished by a light green body covered with black warts and short black hairs. Depending on the weather, the caterpillar stage lasts from 13 to 38 days. These caterpillars feed on cabbage, horseradish, radish, turnip, turnip, and shepherd's purse. They are considered the main pest of cabbage.

Caterpillar moth (surveyors) (Geometridae)

characterized by long thin body and undeveloped ventral legs, due to which it differs original way movement - bends in a loop, while pulling the abdominal legs to the chest. The family unites more than 23 thousand species of moths distributed throughout the world. All types of caterpillars of this family have well-developed muscles, therefore they are able to strengthen themselves vertically on plants, perfectly imitating broken branches and petioles. The color of the caterpillars is similar to the color of the foliage or bark, which is additionally an excellent camouflage. They eat tree needles and hazel.

(Cerura vinula = Dicranura vinula)

lives throughout Europe, Central Asia and in northern Africa. Adult caterpillars grow up to 6 cm and are distinguished by a green body with a purple rhombus on the back, bordered by a white outline. In case of danger, the caterpillar inflates, assumes a threatening posture and sprays out a caustic substance. In the caterpillar stage, the insect stays from the beginning of summer to September, feeds on the leaves of plants from the willow and poplar families, including common aspen.

Redtail Caterpillar (Calliteara pudibunda)

found in the forest-steppe zone throughout Eurasia, as well as in Asia Minor and Central Asia. The caterpillar up to 5 cm long is pinkish, brown or gray. The body is densely covered with individual hairs or tufts of hairs, at the end there is a tail of protruding crimson hairs. This is a poisonous caterpillar: when in contact with human skin, it causes a painful allergy. These caterpillars eat leaves. different trees and shrubs, especially preferring hops.

Silkworm caterpillar(bombyx mori) or silkworm

Lives in East Asia: in the north of China and in Russia, in the southern regions of Primorye. The length of the caterpillar is 6-7 cm, its wavy body is densely covered with blue and brown hairy warts. After 4 molts, completing the 32-day development cycle, the color of the caterpillar turns yellow. The food of the silkworm caterpillar is exclusively mulberry leaves. This insect has been actively used in sericulture since the 27th century BC. e.

Corrosive tree caterpillar(Zeuzera pyrina)

from the woodworm family. Found throughout all European countries, except for the Far North, as well as in South Africa, South-East Asia and in North America. Winters twice, during which time it changes color from yellow-pink to yellow-orange with black, glossy warts. The length of the insect is 5-6 cm. Caterpillars live inside the branches and trunks of various trees, feeding on their juices.

Swallowtail caterpillar(papilio machaon)

lives throughout Europe, Asia, northern Africa and North America. One of the most colorful caterpillars: at first black, with scarlet warts, and as it grows, it becomes green with black transverse stripes. Each strip contains 6-8 red-orange spots. A disturbed caterpillar secretes an odorous orange-yellow liquid. It feeds on celery, wormwood, parsley, and sometimes alder leaves.

The smallest caterpillar in the world is a member of the moth family.

For example, clothes moth caterpillars ( Tineola bisselliella), just emerging from the egg, reach a length of only 1 mm.

The biggest caterpillar in the world- this is the caterpillar of the peacock-eye atlas ( Attacus atlas).

The bluish-green caterpillar, as if powdered with white dust, grows up to 12 cm in length.

Many are accustomed to believing that all butterflies are exclusively garden decorations. In fact, along with the harmless ones, there are pest butterflies that cause considerable damage to plants. Given that the caterpillars of these insects are extremely voracious, damage to horticultural crops can be done on a huge scale.

Photos of pest butterflies, their names and detailed descriptions presented on this page.

Protecting plants from the pest moth acacia moth

American Tree Pest Butterfly

It is a large white butterfly with a wingspan of up to 4 cm. It damages many and berry bushes. Pupae of the American white butterfly hibernate under dead bark, in cracks and other secluded places.

Summer starts in May. Their activity is manifested at night. The females of these tree pest butterflies lay their eggs on the underside of leaves, mainly on the tops of trees.

Caterpillars of the American white butterfly are covered with dense long hairs. At the beginning of development, their color is yellow, then dark stripes form on the back and sides. The length of the caterpillars reaches 3.5 cm.

Young caterpillars feed on leaves, eating their flesh without veins. In addition, they form spider nests.

With massive invasions of caterpillars, a tree may lose its leaves altogether, which significantly weakens and reduces its winter hardiness and fruiting.

To combat this pest, it is necessary to conduct regular inspection and. Caterpillar web nests should be removed and burned immediately.

Infected trees and all plantings within a radius of 50 m from the focus of the disease must be sprayed with fungicides and contact herbicides. Trees before flowering should be treated with insecticides.

Butterfly pest of the garden and garden hawthorn (with photo)

It is a large light-colored butterfly from the family of whites. It has white wings with black veins, the span of which is on average 5-6 cm.

The caterpillars of this butterfly pest of gardens and orchards cause fruit trees the greatest harm because they eat the leaves. The pest braids them with cobwebs, arranging nests in which it hibernates.

In the spring, when flower buds are just beginning to bloom at the apple tree, the caterpillars leave their shelter and begin to gnaw out the buds, then damage the leaves, leaving only thick veins.

Butterfly pest twirl leaf

It is a butterfly with a wingspan of 9-11 mm. Its forewings are gray with black strokes, a whitish transverse stripe, and a large dark gray spot at the base. Egg oval, yellow. Its size is 0.3-0.4 mm.

The caterpillar is spindle-shaped, at first black-orange, and before pupation it is olive green. Its head and chest shield are black. The length of the caterpillar is 5-6 mm. The pupa is brown, in a white cocoon, 5 mm long.

The spinner damages the apple tree, plum and other fruit trees.

Wintering of caterpillars takes place in cobweb cocoons under the lagging bark of branches and trunks. In spring, the caterpillars begin to feed by gnawing out the inside of the buds. Then they damage the flowers and leaves, pulling them together in bunches with a web. After the flowering of plants, the caterpillars move on to young shoots of a new growth, as a result of which the apical leaves are damaged.

In addition, they gnaw out shoots near the kidneys, making moves in them. This feeding of caterpillars lasts 20-25 days. Pupation occurs among damaged leaves and under bark scales. The development of the pupa takes 2 weeks. The revived caterpillars penetrate the leaves and gnaw out passages in which they live until autumn. After that, they move to wintering grounds.

To protect against leaf rot, it is recommended to treat trees with a decoction of yarrow. To prepare it, it is necessary to pour 250 g of yarrow into 2 liters of water, boil over low heat for 5 minutes, cool well, strain. Top up with 7.5 l cold water. Spraying should be carried out during the period of mass pest invasion.

Grape leafworm - pest butterfly

is a butterfly with a wingspan of 18-22 mm. Its front wings are double-yellow or green-gold with a brown-gray pattern, which is often washed out, and sometimes absent. Hindwings gray-brown. Egg size 1 mm, oval. The laying of eggs is yellow-green at first, and before the revival of the caterpillars, it acquires a yellow tint.

Caterpillar 18-23 mm long, gray-green. The pupa is 10 mm long, green at first, then acquires a brownish tint.

Wintering of only revived black-brown caterpillars takes place in dense mother-of-pearl cocoons in bark cracks or soil at a depth of 4-5 cm.

In spring, caterpillars move to plants, penetrate into the buds of grapes and feed on them from the inside. Then they move on to young foliage, inflorescences and ovaries at the top of the shoots. They gnaw through holes in the leaves.

Sometimes caterpillars of the grape leafworm can gnaw through the ridge at the base, causing the bunch to dry out. Several damaged leaves entangled in cobwebs form a loose ball, then turn brown and dry.

After the completion of development, which lasts about a month, the caterpillars pupate in their feeding places. After 2 weeks, butterflies fly out, the activity of which continues until the end of July. After mating, the females lay their eggs on the upper side of the leaf near the main vein. The oviposition is covered with foamy secretions. After 2 weeks, the caterpillars are reborn, but do not feed, but move to wintering grounds.

To protect against grape leaflet, it is recommended to treat plants with a decoction of potato tops. To prepare it, it is necessary to pour 1.5 kg of fresh tops into 10 liters of water, boil over low heat for 20 minutes, cool and strain. Then dissolve in the broth 50 g grated previously on a coarse grater laundry soap. Spraying with the resulting decoction should be carried out as needed, preferably in the evening.

Butterfly pest exclamation scoop and the fight against it

It is a butterfly 35-45 mm in size, the front wings of which are one-color, almost without transverse stripes. The male wings are light, yellowish-gray.

The female is dark brown or dark brown. The hind wings of the male are light, while those of the female are brown.

The egg is 0.7-0.9 mm in size, grayish. The body of the caterpillar is dull, yellow-brown or gray-brown. Pupa 16-20 mm in size, yellow-brown, with two spines on the dorsal side.

Wintering of caterpillars takes place in the soil. In spring, they pupate in the surface layer of the soil. Butterfly flight begins in the first half of June.

Pests lay eggs on the soil, dry plant debris or on leaves located close to the ground. cultivated plants And . After 2 weeks, caterpillars are formed that can feed on almost all vegetable crops growing on the site.

To combat the exclamation scoop, it is recommended to spray the plants with an infusion of calendula seeds with the addition of garlic. To prepare it, you need to mix 4 cups of calendula seeds and 100 g of minced garlic. Pour 10 liters of boiling water over the resulting mixture, leave for 3 hours. Spraying should be done once a week in the evening. Processing must be stopped 30 days before harvest.

Corrosive woodworm and pest butterfly control

- a large butterfly with a wingspan of up to 7 cm. Its white wings are covered with numerous blue-black spots.

The caterpillars of the woodworm are covered with hairs, which contributes to their spread with the wind over long distances.

The insect damages all fruit crops and many forest trees.

Egg laying by females continues until mid-August. Each of them is able to lay up to 1000 pieces in cracks in the bark, branching of shoots.

The caterpillars that have appeared begin to damage the young shoots of trees, biting into them. The leaves on such shoots dry up and die.

Wintering of caterpillars takes place on the branches of trees, in the passages made in them. In the next season, the caterpillars do not yet become butterflies.

Only in the third season, the caterpillars gnaw holes for exit, pupate inside the branch and then fly out.

In addition, you can stuff cotton balls soaked in gasoline into the moves made by the tree. After that, cover the inlets with clay.

From the beginning of August until the onset of leaf fall, it is recommended to periodically inspect the crowns of trees and remove young shoots damaged by woodweed.

When caterpillars of a corrosive woodworm invade, it is recommended to spray the trees with a concentrated solution of chlorophos, but only after harvesting.

In this case, only a few shoots of the tree should first be sprayed in order to exclude the possibility of burning the branches with concentrated chlorophos.

Butterfly pest of goldentail plants

It is a white butterfly with a golden fluffy belly. Goldentail caterpillars are dark, hairy, with two orange spots at the end. They are easily carried by the wind. Goldentails damage all fruit trees.

Wintering of caterpillars takes place in nests of 5-7 dry leaves attached to the forks of twigs with cobwebs.

At the beginning of bud break, the caterpillars leave the nests and begin to eat the leaves. 2 weeks after flowering, they erect spider nests, where they pupate.

Goldentail butterflies fly out in the middle of summer. Females begin to lay eggs on branches, trunks, undersides of leaves. Egg clutches look like rollers. After 3 weeks, caterpillars appear from the eggs, which first feed on leaves, and by winter they make nests from them.

To combat the golden tail, it is necessary to regularly collect and destroy spider nests. Gloves should be worn when harvesting goldentail nests to prevent skin irritation.

After leaf fall, it is necessary to remove all twisted leaves from the trees, which often become wintering grounds for caterpillars.

You can get rid of the caterpillars mechanically by shaking them on a litter spread under the crown of a tree.

Ringed silkworm: how to reduce the number of pest butterflies

ringed silkworm is a large light brown butterfly with a pubescent body from the family

There are a lot of varieties of caterpillars.

The green color of the poplar hawk caterpillar allows it to perfectly disguise itself among the green leaves of plants (Fig. 12).

The caterpillar of the bagworm family protects its body with a cover made from pieces of grass (Fig. 13).

A large caterpillar of the odorous woodworm (Fig. 14), up to 90 mm long, with a sharp unpleasant odor, lives in the wood of willows, aspens, birches, alders and some fruit trees.

There are few live-bearing butterflies. In most species, caterpillars emerge from eggs at the appointed time. The larvae of some butterflies, after hatching, eat the egg shell: the substances that make up its composition will help them in their further development.

Rice. 12. Poplar hawk caterpillar (Laothoe populi)

Rice. 13. Caterpillar of the bagworm family (Psychidae)

Rice. 14. Butterfly caterpillar odorous woodworm (Cossus cossus)

Rice. 15. A young caterpillar of one of the butterflies of the moth family (Geometridae)

Caterpillars usually have five pairs of ventral legs, but their number can be reduced to two or four pairs (Fig. 15), and in some larvaespecies living on plants, they are completely absent. By the way, outwardly, the larvae of sawflies (Tenthredinidae) - insects from the order of Hymenoptera - are very similar to caterpillars, and you can distinguish them by counting the legs. Butterflies have them, together with three pairs of real (thoracic) legs - 16 or less. And in sawfly larvae, the number of ventral legs is six to eight pairs, i.e. only from 18 to 22.

The caterpillars of those species of butterflies (Fig. 16-18), which scatter their eggs far from food plants, after hatching, have to travel far in search of food. In this they are often helped by the wind. Tiny caterpillars climb to elevated places (tops of blades of grass, branches of bushes and trees), release a cobweb and, using it as a sail, go to the world at the behest of the wind. This contributes to the dispersal of species, although many caterpillars die during such wanderings. However, nature has prudently endowed all types of butterflies, settling caterpillars with the help of wind, or a largefecundity, or polyphagy (i.e., the ability of caterpillars to feed on many plant species), or the ability of larvae for a long time exist without food.

Rice. 16. Caterpillar early age one of the butterflies of the hawk family (Sphingidae)

Rice. 17. Silver hole caterpillar (Phalera bucephala)

Rice. 18. Caterpillar of the daytime peacock butterfly (Inachisio) before pupation

The caterpillars of some Lepidoptera mastered and aquatic environment. A number of them breathe in the water through the integuments of the body, and the spiracles, through which all terrestrial species of caterpillars breathe, are reduced in them. Larvae of the telorez moth (Paraponux stratiotata), living in caps on aquatic plants, have filiform tracheal gills. Caterpillars of representatives of the genus Shoenobius live inside the leaves of aquatic plants and do not directly come into contact with water. Some species of aquatic caterpillars are covered with thick hair and breathe the air that remains between the hairs when the caterpillar is immersed in water.

Butterfly caterpillars that develop in water feed on aquatic plants, which at the same time serve as food for most caterpillars living on land. At the same time, they not only eat leaves, but can lead an underground lifestyle and feed on roots or be inside grass stems and tree trunks, turning long passages into them.

Some caterpillars feed various parts plants. For example, caterpillars of the shamil (Phassus schamyl) first feed on half-decayed leaves, and later switch to feeding on the roots of various herbaceous plants.

Some species of caterpillars belonging to the family of moths make moves in the tissues of the leaf, where they eat out a cavity called a mine (English mine - dig a passage, dig a mine, for which they are called miner moths.) Characteristic features caterpillars of miner moths - tiny sizes and a flat body shape.

The larvae of some species of butterflies cause abnormal tissue growth in plants, the so-called galls. For example, a moth from the genus Coleohora lays its eggs in the buds of one of the bindweed species. Having completed development, the caterpillar separates the gall with a circular incision and, together with it, descends to the ground on a cobweb, after which it moves for some time like a snail with its house. Then the caterpillar attaches its gall-house to some plant with a cobweb and, having prepared a hole for departure, pupates. The damage caused to plants by caterpillars of different species is very specific, and there are even guides to caterpillars based on the form of such damage.

In addition to plant foods, butterfly caterpillars can also eat food of animal origin. Caterpillars of a dozen families of butterflies are characterized by predation. Some species of moths live in bird nests and feed on feather litter there. The moths that have chosen the caves feed on bird droppings and bats. Larvae various kinds moths damage fur coats, mohair sweaters and rabbit hats. Wax moth caterpillars (Galleria mellonella) feed on beeswax in hives.

The caterpillars of some species of pigeon butterflies (Lycaenidae) are myrmicophilic creatures that live in anthills. The ants do not touch them, apparently because the caterpillars secrete calming odorous substances, as well as a sweet liquid that the ants lick with pleasure. In anthills, pigeon caterpillars feed on ant larvae, eggs and pupae. One has only to wonder at such a relationship between the predators of the insect world and their usual victims - butterfly caterpillars.

The ability of some species of caterpillars to camouflage is widely known. For example, many moth caterpillars (family Geometridae) perfectly imitate the branches of the plants on which they feed. These caterpillars are also curious because, when moving, they sharply pull the rear part of the body to the front, and then push the front part, while holding on to the substrate with their abdominal legs. Moving, they seem to measure the length, for which they are both in Russian and in Latin called land surveyors. The limbs of caterpillars differ greatly in structure and function.

Caterpillars of the pine hawk hawk (Sphinx pinastri) perfectly disguise themselves as pine needles. And one of the tropical caterpillars perfectly imitates a snake. More precisely, under head part snakes of a certain kind, since the whole snake, of course, is longer than the caterpillar.

Many inedible poisonous caterpillars (like others poisonous insects) have a bright warning color, the protective role of which is enhanced if the animals are located close to each other. Apparently, therefore, many species of caterpillars stay together throughout the full development cycle, forming so-called nests. In caterpillars covered with hairs, when living together, these hairs also create an additional common barrier that prevents predators from attacking. Nest formation is characteristic of the larvae of a number of cocoonworms (family Lasiocampidae). The caterpillars that keep the nest usually weave a kind of tents from the web, which they leave for the time of feeding (more often at night), and then come back. Moving while feeding, each caterpillar separates one cobweb with the help of special glands, and in the end, all together they envelop literally the entire tree with cobwebs. Caterpillars of the pine silkworm (Dendrolimus pini) closer to autumn begin to weave a winter tent-nest, in which they spend the winter, gathered in a dense mass.

It is interesting to learn about vision in caterpillars. It is very weak for them, the larvae of butterflies can distinguish only light and shadow and do not see a clear outline of the object. The caterpillar's eye itself is a cluster of colored light-sensitive spots. Such eye spots are not only on the head, they are scattered throughout the body and help the caterpillar to hide from the scorching sun in time or to determine that the leaf has already been gnawed and it is time to crawl to a new one.

Butterfly larvae are important members of natural communities. Feeding mainly on plant foods, they themselves serve as food for many insectivorous animals. Their role in the nutrition of a number of insectivorous birds is very great, which not only eat them themselves, but also collect them in large quantities as food for chicks.

By the way, the natives of Australia eat scoop butterfly caterpillars, and in the markets of the Congo they sell striped caterpillars up to 10 cm long, which are considered a delicacy of African cuisine.

But humans can use caterpillars for other purposes as well. In the same Australia, Cactoblastis cactorum moth caterpillars are successfully used to control prickly pear. This cactus, imported from Mexico, multiplied in huge quantities and became literally a scourge for local farmers. Chemical treatments did not help. After a long search for scientists, moth caterpillars became a means of restraining the massive growth of prickly pear. Subsequently, in Australia near the city of Chinchila. in the small town of Bunarga, a modest building for concerts and meetings "Memorial Hall" appeared. His. built in honor of the fire moth.

And the mass reproduction of malumbia butterfly larvae (Eloria noyesi) in Peru has confused the maps of the local drug mafia. Having multiplied, these caterpillars in a short time destroyed more than 20 thousand hectares of illegal coca crops - the plant from which cocaine is obtained. A detailed study of the biology of this species of butterflies may open up prospects for the further use of malumbia caterpillars in this field.

In the process of development, butterfly caterpillars go through several instars, the differences between which are sometimes so strong (for example, in the larvae of the first, third and last instars of the butterfly Aglia tau from the peacock-eye family, Saturniidae), that they can be mistaken for caterpillars of other species. The transition from one age to another takes place in the process of molting. With each age, sexual differences in the caterpillar stage become more pronounced.

In most caterpillars, the development cycle takes one to two months, but in some, for example, in the butterfly of the species Stigmella malella, it is much faster, in just 36 hours. And in some butterflies living in the north, caterpillars, on the contrary, develop for several years. The sizes of butterflies developed from such caterpillars vary greatly. Butterflies from caterpillars that lived large quantity years, larger.

Caterpillars (photo)

Caterpillar-coquette looks like? like a miniature fluffy animal. However, as soon as you touch it, an unpleasant surprise awaits you.

Poisonous spikes hidden under her "fur" release poison, causing intense throbbing pain. , which can give into the armpit,five minutes after contact with the caterpillar. Red erymatous spots may appear at the site of contact. Other symptoms include: headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, lymph node involvement, sometimes shock or shortness of breath.

The pain usually subsides after an hour, and the spots disappear after a few days. However, when hit a large number poison, symptoms can last up to 5 days.

2. Saddle caterpillar (Sibine stimulea)

The saddle caterpillar attracts attention with its bright coloration, and believe me, you better stay away from it. Its fleshy horns are covered with hairs that secrete poison.

Touching them will cause bee sting-like pain, swelling, nausea, and rash which will last for several days.

Types of caterpillars

3. Caterpillar "burning rose" (Parasa indetermina)

The caterpillar "burning rose" reaches a length of only 2.5 cm and is distinguished by bright colors. But besides her yellow and red spots, her prickly tubercles protruding from different sides attract the most attention.

The tips on these bumps, as you might guess, release poison. If you touch one of them, the ends will break off and you will have skin irritation.

Euclea delphinii)

This caterpillar is not as dangerous to humans, although touching it will still lead to rashes. This is due to the spiny tubercles located on the back and sides.

As a rule, these caterpillars live on oaks, willows, as well as beech, cherry, maple and other deciduous trees.

5. Caterpillar of the cross bear (Tyria jacobaeae)

Some caterpillars acquire toxicity through the plants they eat. And this also applies to the caterpillars of the bear cross, which feed on the poisonous crosswort.

They eat so much of this plant that in New Zealand, Australia and North America they are used to control the growth of the ragwort. This plant is deadly cattle and horses, and pose a health hazard to humans.

If you are susceptible to caterpillar hairs, touching them may cause urticaria, atopic bronchial asthma, renal failure and cerebral hemorrhage.

Caterpillars crawl (video)

6. Caterpillars of the marching silkworm (Thaumetopoea pityocampa)

Caterpillars of the marching silkworm live in groups in large silk nests high in the pines.

They follow each other from the nest to the pine needles in search of food. And as you may have guessed, contact with them is dangerous. They are covered with thousands of tiny harpoon-shaped hairs that cause severe skin irritation when touched.

7. Caterpillar "hiding in a bag" (Ochrogaster lunifer)

Just like the caterpillars of the marching silkworm, these representatives live in groups in a silk bag, getting out at night and following each other in search of food. However, the danger from them is greater.

IN South America they pose a threat to health. The poison that is in their bristles is powerful anticoagulant. This means that if you inadvertently touch them, you risk bleeding from a small cut or internal bleeding.

8. Caterpillar Saturnia io (Automeris io)

This caterpillar lives in Canada and the USA, and although it looks like a charming baby with green spiked pom-poms, remember that they are only to be admired.

As tiny as their thorns may seem, the poison they contain can cause painful itching and even dermatitis.

9. Witch moth caterpillar (Phobetron pithecium)

If it seemed to you that the coquette caterpillar looked rather unusual, admire this furry creature. The "witch moth" caterpillar, also called the "slug monkey", is often found in orchards.

People have varying susceptibility to these caterpillars, and in some people they cause unpleasant symptoms, including itching and rash.

10. Hickory Bear Caterpillar (Lophocampa caryae)

It seems as if these caterpillars are dressed in winter fur coats. Most of the hairs that cover their body are fairly harmless, however they do have four long black hairs on the front and back that should be avoided.

Touching them leads to rashes and more serious health problems, in case of hair getting into the eyes. In addition, they are also bite.

poisonous caterpillars

11. Lazy Clown Caterpillar (Lonomia obliqua)

This caterpillar of the peacock-eye butterfly can safely be called a killer caterpillar. Her thorns are filled with coagulant poison - anticoagulant which can lead to the death of a person.

Light touching of these caterpillars can lead to headaches, fever, vomiting, and if left untreated, internal bleeding kidney failure and hemolysis.

Their venom is so powerful that scientists are studying it in hopes of developing a drug that prevents blood clots.

12. White cedar moth caterpillar (leptocneria reducta)

This caterpillar already inspires fear with its appearance. The hairs of this tiny crawling "cactus" can cause an allergic itching reaction in some people.

In addition, the caterpillars themselves live large groups, swarming on the tree at the same time, and eating every single leaf before moving on.

Hemileuca maia)

One look at this caterpillar should discourage you from touching it. It is covered with hollow spines attached to a poison sac, and touching it will not only cause itching and burning, but also lead to nausea.

They live mainly on oaks and willows from spring to mid-summer.

Orgyia leucostigma)

This caterpillar is easy to spot because of the red head, black back and yellow stripes on the sides. Except that this caterpillar stings unpleasantly, it is considered a pest of trees, eating everything woody in its path.

But try to remove it from the power source, and you will not be in trouble.

15. Carnivorous caterpillars

While these caterpillars won't kill you, they do eat other insects, which is pretty unusual for a typical vegetarian caterpillar menu.

And remember, if the caterpillar has thorns or hairs, it is better not to touch it, as most likely it can be poisonous!