Caterpillar Collection (#40)

Snake mimic hawkmoth caterpillar (Hemeroplanes sp.). When disturbed the caterpillar pulls in its legs and head and expands the front part of its body, which takes the appearance of a snake

Bright-line brown-eye caterpillar
Bright-line brown-eye moth caterpillar (Lacanobia oleracea) feeding on a tomato. This caterpillar is found throughout Europe, parts of Asia and North Africa. It grows up to 4 centimetres in length

Chrysalis, SEM
Chrysalis, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). A chrysalis is the name for the pupa of butterflies and moths (order Lepidoptera)

Six-spot burnet caterpillar (Zygaena filipendulae) on a green-winged orchid flower (Anacamptis morio). This is the larva of the six-spot burnet moth

Moth caterpillar on a plant stem. The eyespots located towards the head of the caterpillar serve to frighten or startle predators. Photographed in a deciduous tropical forest in Costa Rica

Buff tip moth caterpillars (Phalera bucephala)

Warehouse moth larva, SEM
Warehouse moth larva. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of part of the body of a warehouse moth (Ephestia elutella) larva or caterpillar. There is a spiracle (brown) in each body segment

Castniid moth larvae. These specimens, from French Guiana in South America, have been preserved so that their haemplymph (body fluid) can be extracted

Caterpillar spines, SEM
Caterpillar spines. Coloured scanning electron micrograph of spines on a unidentified caterpillar. Caterpillars are the larval forms of butterflies and moths (order Lepidoptera)

Caterpillar head, SEM
Caterpillar head. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head of a caterpillar. Caterpillars (order Lepidoptera) are the larval stage of the life cycle of a butterfly or moth

Cabbage white caterpillar. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a caterpillar (larva) of the cabbage white butterfly (Pieris sp.)

Caterpillar feet, SEM
Caterpillar feet. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the paired feet on the underside of an unidentified caterpillar (order Lepidoptera)

Caterpillar foot, SEM
Caterpillar foot. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the foot of an unidentified caterpillar (order Lepidoptera)

Insect robot. Computer artwork of an MEM (Micro Electro-Mechanic) robot preying on a caterpillar. The MEM has been programmed to hunt and kill pests, such as caterpillars, on agricultural land

Caterpillar hairs, SEM
Caterpillar hairs. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of hairs from the vapourer moth (Orgyia antiqua) caterpillar. Magnification: x250 when printed at 10 centimetres tall

Brown tail moth larvae C010 / 6339
Brown tail moth larvae. Colony of the larvae (caterpillars) of the brown tail moth (Euproctis chrysorrhoea). This is a European night-flying moth

Cabbage white butterfly caterpillar, SEM
Cabbage white butterfly (Pieris brassicae) larva (caterpillar) on the underside of a leaf, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM)

Tropical caterpillar. Photographed in Gunung Mulu National Park, in Sarawak, the Malaysian part of the island of Borneo

Cabbage white caterpillar hatching, SEM
Cabbage white butterfly (Pieris brassicae) larva (caterpillar) hatching, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). The eggs are laid in batches of up to 150 on the underside of brassica plant

Mullein moth caterpillar feeding on great mullein (Verbascum thapsus) Dorset, UK June 2011

Cinnabar moth caterpillars (Tyria jacobaeae). The yellow and black colouration of these caterpillars acts as a warning to predators that they are poisonous

Buff-tip moth caterpillars. Close-up of the larvae of the buff-tip moth (Phalera bucephala) on an oak leaf (Quercus sp.). Initially these larvae stay in groups (as shown)

Currant moth larvae
Currant moth (Abraxas grossulariata) larvae on leaves of a redcurrant bush. The Currant moth is a very common and widespread pest of cultivated currants and gooseberries

Caterpillars eating hawthorn leaves
caterpillar eat leaf of Crataegus district Närke

Goat moth caterpillar
caterpillarof Cossus cossus Stockholm

Hairy caterpillar (order Lepidoptera). Photographed in the Rio Bigal Reserve, Amazon Rainforest, Ecuador

Saturniid caterpillars (family Saturniidae) with venomous spines. Photographed in rainforest near Iquitos, Peru

Bokmakierie and caterpillar
Bokmakierie (Telophorus zeylonus) with a caterpillar. The caterpillar is beaten on a rock (such as at right) before being swallowed. Photographed at De Hoop Nature Reserve, Western Cape, South Africa

Cabbage white butterfly caterpillars. Close-up of the larvae of the cabbage white butterfly (Pieris brassicae) on a leaf. These caterpillars feed on plants in the cabbage family (Brassicaceae)

Caterpillars, 17th century artwork. Caterpillars are the larval forms of moths and butterflies. They feed on leaves and then metamorphose into the adult form

Small emperor moth caterpillars (Pavonia pavonia) on a leaf

Vapourer moth caterpillar, SEM
Vapourer moth caterpillar (Orgyia antiqua), coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). This caterpillar appears between April and May

Caterpillar spiracles, light micrograph
Caterpillar spiracles. Light micrograph of part of the skin of a caterpillar showing part of the tracheal system for bringing oxygen to the body tissues

Caterpillar skin, light micrograph. This section of part of the skin shows two half segments. The skin is covered in small hairs or setae (black), and brown structures called tubercles and verrucae

Caterpillar proleg, light micrograph
Caterpillar proleg. Dark-field light micrograph of part of the skin of a caterpillar, showing a proleg (centre). The proleg is a short stubby protrusion

Caterpillar spiracle, light micrograph
Caterpillar spiracle. Polarised light micrograph of part of the skin of a caterpillar, showing an air hole (spiracle, dark oval, lower right) leading to a breathing tube (trachea)

Blue Tit (Parus caeruleus) adult, with caterpillars in beak, feeding begging chicks at nest inside nestbox, Midlands, England, may

Arizona Horned Devil Caterpillar, Citheronia regalis sinaloensis, Native to Arizona

Hickory horned devil caterpillar (Citheronia regalis) on branch, Arizona, USA

Saddleback moth, Acharia sp. poisonous caterpillar on leaf, Manuel Antonio National Park, Central Pacific Coast, Costa Rica, Central America

Costa Rica, Close-up of Caterpillar on Heliconia plant. Credit as: Nancy Rotenberg / Jaynes Gallery / Danita Delimont

Close-up of caterpillar on flower. Credit as: Don Paulson / Jaynes Gallery / Danita Delimont(RF)

Prometheus Moth Caterpillar, Callosamia promethea, Eastern US

Germany, Baltic Sea, Island of Ruegen. Jasmund NP, caterpillar with poisonous spines on mossy rock

Large White Butterfly / Caterpillar - UK
SPH-1785 Large White Butterfly Caterpillar UK Pieris brassicae Steve Hopkin Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Reed Bunting - female - approaching nest carrying a caterpillar in mouth for the chicks - Bowesfield Nature Reserve
ROY-655 Reed Bunting - female - approaching nest carrying a caterpillar in mouth for the chicks Bowesfield Nature Reserve - Cleveland - UK Emberiza schoeniclus Roy Glen Please note that prints are

Wanderer Butterfly - Caterpillar
EL-33 Wanderer Butterfly - Caterpillar Danaus plexippus Eric Lindgren Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

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The world of caterpillars is a fascinating one, filled with vibrant colors and intricate patterns. Just like the beautiful butterfly illustration by Maria Sibylla Merian, these creatures undergo a remarkable transformation. From the Inachis io, also known as the peacock butterfly, to the sea green swallowtail butterfly, their delicate wings captivate our imagination. Illustrations of butterflies and green caterpillars on plant and flower stems remind us of their close relationship with nature. They gracefully navigate through leaves and petals, finding nourishment along the way. Take for instance the tobacco hornworm with its tobacco plant companion or the wooly bear - larva of a Tiger Moth - both showcasing unique adaptations in their respective environments. Not limited to just insects, even machines have been inspired by these incredible creatures. The Caterpillar track steam engine by R. Hornsby & Sons demonstrates how nature's designs can be replicated for human use. Caterpillars have also found their place in literature and popular culture. Who could forget Carroll's iconic character from Alice in Wonderland? Alice's encounters with this enigmatic creature left an indelible mark on readers' minds. Butterflies themselves have been subjects of admiration throughout history; 19th-century artists captured their beauty in stunning illustrations that still mesmerize today. Lastly, let us not overlook the significance of caterpillars as they transform into wanderers or monarchs feeding on milkweed plants—a reminder that change is inevitable but often leads to something extraordinary. In all its forms—whether fluttering through gardens or gracing pages—the caterpillar continues to enchant us with its journey towards becoming a magnificent butterfly.