| MadSci Network: Zoology |
I guess the short answer is "Yes"....all the caterpillars should turn into butterflies or moths.
Caterpillars, in fact, are the larval stage of butterflies and moths - kind of like "babies" are the infant stage of humans...except babies look a bit more like smaller versions of the adult humans they will some day be, while the larva of butterflies and moths look like a totally different kind of insect.
The development of a moth or butterfly is like most other insects, having several stages:
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- segmented EGG
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- larva (can be called "maggot" or "grub" stage for other insects...
but is called a "caterpillar" for butterflies and moths)
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- pupa (in the "cocoon")
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- adult (butterfly or moth)
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More information can be found at one of these websites:
http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/IPM/ento/j529e.html
http://www.catalinas.net/seer/animals/inverts/LEPIDOPT.HTM
http:// www.ifas.ufl.edu/~apkweb/ncstate/CATER3.HTM
Don Herbison-Evans adds: Many turn into wasps or flies because the caterpillar is host to these as parasites. This is particularly true of caterpillars found wandering about, as their natural secretive behaviour has been altered because of the parasite infesting their body. Cheers, Don
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