What animal is the larva of a butterfly or moth?

The life cycle of a butterfly or moth is a remarkable process of complete metamorphosis, involving four distinct stages. After hatching from an egg, the insect enters its larval form. This stage is dedicated almost entirely to eating and growth, and for the order of insects known as Lepidoptera, this larva is one of the most recognizable creatures in the garden. Its primary job is to consume as much food as possible, typically the leaves of a specific host plant, to store up energy for the incredible transformation that lies ahead.

This voracious, worm-like eating machine is the caterpillar. During this phase, it can increase its body mass by thousands of times, shedding its skin multiple times as it rapidly grows. While they may look simple, caterpillars have a complex anatomy, including six true legs near the head (which will remain in the adult stage) and several pairs of fleshy, false legs called prolegs that help them grip and climb.

To survive long enough to reach the next stage, caterpillars have developed an amazing array of defense mechanisms. Some use camouflage to blend in with leaves and twigs, while others have bright, bold colors that warn predators they are poisonous. Once a caterpillar has reached its full size, it will secure itself and begin the miraculous process of transforming into a pupa, known as a chrysalis for a butterfly or a cocoon for a moth, before emerging as a winged adult.