what is a caterpillar

A caterpillar is the larval stage of members of the order Lepidoptera, which includes butterflies and moths. They are the second stage in the four-stage life cycle of a butterfly or moth, which includes egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Caterpillars have cylindrical bodies consisting of multiple segments, with three pairs of true legs on the thorax and several pairs of short, fleshy prolegs on the abdomen. The head has six small eyes (stemmata) on each side that function in light detection but not in image formation. They have short segmented antennae and strong jaws. Caterpillars are typically voracious feeders and many of them are among the most serious of agricultural pests, causing damage to fruits and other agricultural produce. Conversely, various species of caterpillar are valued as sources of silk, as human or animal food, or for biological control of pest plants. Most caterpillars are herbivores and feed on leaves, stems, and other parts of plants. They are typically found in areas with abundant vegetation, such as forests, meadows, fields, and gardens.