Caterpillar Identification

Caterpillars represent an important stage in the life cycle of butterflies and moths. The first stage involves the eggs, larvae constitutes the second stage, the third stage is characterized by pupae formation and the fourth stage witnesses the development of moths or butterflies. In short, caterpillars form the second stage in the butterfly or moth life cycle and are the larval form of these insects. However, there are some other insects, which have their larval forms similar to caterpillars. It has been observed that such larvae are often mistaken for caterpillars, as people fail to identify a caterpillar from other larvae. This article can provide you with some tips and guidelines regarding caterpillar identification.

How to Identify a Caterpillar?

Nowadays, even small kids are aware of the fact that caterpillars are the larval form of butterflies and moths. But, there are many people, who may not be able to identify a caterpillar, even though, they have a basic understanding about these worm-like larvae. In order to identify a caterpillar, you must have a basic understanding about the general physical features of a caterpillar and their different types. The following information can help you with some caterpillar identification tips.

Caterpillar Appearance

Even though, the looks of different types of caterpillars vary to a great extent, there are some basic physical features, which are common for all. In general, caterpillars have tubular bodies, which are segmented. While, most of them have three pairs of true legs on their thoracic segments (three in number), the number and location of prolegs on the abdominal segments may differ from one type to another. Some types of caterpillars have hair that cover their body and in most cases, this hair can cause itching, if it comes into contact with human skin. Studies show that a caterpillar has around 4000 muscles in their body and their movement is facilitated by the contraction of muscles in the rear parts. These larvae breathe through tiny pores, that are located along the sides of thoracic and abdomen segments. Some caterpillar types have gills, so that they can lead an aquatic life too. Caterpillars have good eyesight, as they possess six (may vary) small eyelets. They can sense vibrations and locate food with short antennae on their body. Their mouths are also strong enough to chew food. While, most of them feed on plant matter, there are some, which catch and eat insects. Now, you have a basic understanding about the physical features of caterpillars. The following paragraphs will provide you with some useful caterpillar identification tips. Read more on caterpillar life cycle.

Caterpillar Identification Tips

One of the important points in caterpillar identification is to differentiate a caterpillar from a worm. Even though, both are having soft bodies, there is one noticeable difference between the two. It is the presence of legs in caterpillars (worms lack such appendages). The next step is to identify a caterpillar from the larvae of other insects. Both can be differentiated with the following features. Most of the insect larvae, other than caterpillars have prolegs on each and every body segment. Apart from that, caterpillars have hooks attached to their prolegs and this feature is absent in other larvae. Another difference between the two is the presence of ocelli in the head capsule of other larvae and the inverted 'Y' shaped marking on the front side of the caterpillar's head.

Now you know more about how to differentiate a caterpillar from a worm or other insect larvae. Let us now take a look at some guidelines about identification of specific caterpillar types. This can be done easily, if you know the characteristic features of the different caterpillar types. Each caterpillar type carries some of the characteristic feature of the genus. Most of them are strikingly colorful, some have hair, some have other appendages, some are seen exclusively on some special plants or trees. Note down the features of the caterpillar in question and search authentic websites. There are various websites, which can help you to identify the caterpillar. Mentioned below are some common caterpillar types, which can be identified with the following caterpillar identification tips.

Geometrids / Loopers
These are one of the commonly found caterpillars, which are otherwise known as inchworms. The name of these caterpillars is derived from the unusual form of their locomotion, which looks like, they are measuring their way. They use only the initial segment and the prolegs on the last segment for movement and these caterpillars form loops, while moving. Most of the loopers are of the same color as their background and so, are difficult to see.

Skippers / Hesperiidae
Caterpillars that belong to the Hesperiidae family have the characteristic feature of a large head and constricted neck. The body of these caterpillars get wide near the abdomen and tapers towards the anal part. Most of the skippers have an anal comb, that help them to expel excreta away from their shelters and feeding places. They have hair that covers each segment of the body. They are mostly nocturnal and create shelter by folding leaves.

Hornworms / Hawk Moths
Caterpillars of hawk moths, that belong to Sphingidae family are termed as hornworms. These larvae are named as hornworms, due to the horn-like appendage on the posterior part of their abdomen, most probably, on the eighth abdominal segment. They have flat anal prolegs, that form a triangle beneath the anal plate. These caterpillars are found to descend to the ground for pupation.

Caterpillars of Regal Moths
Regal moths that belong to the family Ceratocampinae, have caterpillars with a horn near their head and another on the eighth or ninth abdominal segment. These horns develop during the early stages itself and some of these caterpillars have hair like projections on their body. Like the hornworms, the caterpillars of regal moths too descend to the ground in search of pupating sites.

Caterpillars of Silk Moths
Silk moths belong to the family Saturniidae. Silk moth caterpillar identification can be done by noting their body size. In general, they have a large body, around three to four inches in body length. Most of the silk moth caterpillars have scoli along the back and sides of their bodies. These caterpillars too live on trees and shrubs, but descend to the ground during late summer and spin a cocoon among the debris.

Caterpillars of Swallowtails
Swallowtail butterflies belong to the family Papilionidae, which have some of the largest and colorful butterflies. The caterpillars of these butterflies are mostly brightly colored with very fine hair on their bodies. Most of them have retractable tentacles with scent glands, which are used to scare away intruders.

Caterpillars of Tiger Moths
Tiger moths are members of the family Arctiidae and the caterpillars that belong this family are commonly referred to as 'woolly bears'. The name is derived from their characteristic feature of dense hair that cover their bodies. Most of these caterpillars have brightly colored bodies and are mainly found during the fall, when they are in search of an ideal location for hibernation.

Prominents (Notodontidae)
This is a family of moths, which are mostly large in size and commonly known as 'prominents'. Caterpillar identification in this case is facilitated by their colorful and hairless bodies (some have hair on their bodies), and presence of tubercules, spines or humps. These caterpillars are known for their bizarre shapes and ability to attack intruders with acid from a gland on the lower side of the thoracic segment.

Now, you have a basic idea about caterpillars and caterpillar identification. Apart from the above said ones, there are slug caterpillars with retractable heads and medical suckers, hooktip moth larvae, which lack anal prolegs, etc. However, the task of identifying caterpillars, is not that easy, as there are thousands of caterpillar types that can be found across the globe. So, it is better to note the characteristic features of the caterpillar and search for it on the internet.