My Temple of Nature: Creepy Caterpillars

We all know that caterpillars are actually the larval stage of butterflies and moths. But caterpillars themselves are pretty cool and come in many colors and use different techniques to survive long enough so they CAN become a butterfly (or moth). The larval stage only lasts a few weeks in most cases and during that time they can consume 27,000 times their weight in food and increase their body mass by 1,000 times or more which is why they are also considered pests to the agricultural community and many gardeners. All that food is needed for the energy it takes to spin the silk for their cocoon and transform themselves into a new and different form. Caterpillars can have up 4,000 muscles - 70 muscles to control each body segment and over 200 muscles just in their head.

Many caterpillars look cute and fuzzy, but many can be toxic and with bright colors they advertise that - I'm nasty, don't eat me. They use the toxins in the food they eat to their own advantage. Take a look at the saddleback caterpillar.

Source: Wikipedia

Those 'horns' on either end of the body contain urticating hairs that secrete a stinging venom that can be very painful. If stung, people can suffer from swelling, nausea, and a rash that can last for days.

The Stinging Rose caterpillar uses the same strategy.

Source: Wikipedia

The caterpillar is unusual and so is the moth that it turns into.

Source: Wikipedia

Many times the caterpillar and the butterfly look totally different - not just because they are in two different forms, but because you would never guess they are related. Some very exotic caterpillars turn into very plain looking adults. While other plain looking caterpillars turn into very exotic looking adults.

The Cecropia caterpillar looks rather bland considering the moth that IT turns into.

Source: Wikipedia

Cecropia moth

The big beautiful giant swallowtail butterfly...

Source: Wikipedia

has developed a totally different strategy as a caterpillar - camouflage. Its larvae actually resembles bird poo!!

Source: Wikipedia

Not something a predator would take a second glance at unless it moved and it certainly doesn't (at least to our human eyes) look very appetizing.

The Great Orange Tip butterfly's larvae...