Interesting facts about insects for children in kindergarten. Types of caterpillars - description, features and interesting facts Description of insects for children

A caterpillar is the larva of a butterfly, moth or moth - insects from the order Lepidoptera.

Caterpillar - description, characteristics, structure and photo. What does a caterpillar look like?

Torso

The length of the caterpillar, according to the variety, varies from a few millimeters to 12 cm, as in individual specimens of the Saturnia butterfly (peacock eye).

The caterpillar's body consists of a clearly visible head, thoracic, abdominal sections and several pairs of limbs located on the chest and abdomen.

Head

The caterpillar's head is represented by six fused segments, forming a hard capsule. Between the forehead and eyes the area of the cheeks is conventionally distinguished; at the bottom of the head there is the occipital foramen, which looks like a heart.

A round head shape is typical for most caterpillars, although there are exceptions. For example, many hawk moths have a triangle-shaped head, while other species have a rectangular head.

The parietal parts can protrude strongly above the head, forming a kind of “horns”. Small antennae, consisting of 3 consecutive joints, grow on the sides of the head.

Oral apparatus

All caterpillars are distinguished by the gnawing type oral apparatus. The insect's upper jaws are well formed: their upper edge contains teeth designed for gnawing or tearing food. Inside there are tubercles that perform the function of chewing food. The salivary glands are transformed into specific spinning (silk-secreting) glands.

Eyes

The eyes of caterpillars are a primitive visual apparatus containing a single lens. Typically, several simple ocelli are located one behind the other, in an arc, or they form 1 complex eye merged from 5 simple ones. Plus 1 eye is located inside this arc. Thus, caterpillars have 5-6 pairs of eyes in total.

Torso

The caterpillar's body consists of segments separated by grooves and is covered in a soft shell, which provides the body with maximum mobility. The anus is surrounded by special lobes that have varying degrees of development.

The insect's respiratory organ, the spiracle, is a stigma located on the chest. Only in species living in water are the spiracles replaced by tracheal gills.

Most caterpillars have 3 pairs of thoracic limbs and 5 pairs of false abdominal legs. The abdominal limbs end in small hooks. On each thoracic limb there is a sole with a claw, which the caterpillar retracts or protrudes when moving.

The legs of the caterpillar were peeled off by the moth

The outgrowths consist of raised skin formations - tubercles, similar to flat, round or oval warts and spines. Caterpillar hairs are represented by thin individual threads or tufts.

Caterpillar development

Depending on the species, the caterpillar can develop from several weeks to several years. Caterpillars of northern butterfly species do not have time to complete their development cycle in one season, so they hibernate (diapause) until next summer.

For example, a butterfly, living in the Arctic Circle, can remain in the caterpillar stage for up to 12-14 years.

During its development cycle, the caterpillar undergoes not only significant age-related changes in the size and color of the body, but also striking metamorphoses.

For example, the transformation of an almost naked caterpillar into a furry one or vice versa.

At the end of the development cycle, the caterpillar turns into a pupa, from which a butterfly then emerges.

Caterpillars moult

Each caterpillar molts several times during its entire period of existence. To the smallest number Miner caterpillars are susceptible to molting (2 times). The standard number of lines is 4, although individual species moult 5 or 7 times. Adverse conditions environment cause a sharp increase in the number of molts, for example, a clothes moth caterpillar can molt from 4 to 40 times. It has also been observed that females molt more often than males.

The caterpillar secretes sweet nectar, which the ant drinks.

Types of caterpillars - photos and names

Among the great variety of different caterpillars, the following varieties are of greatest interest:

Cabbage caterpillar or cabbage butterfly caterpillar (cabbage white butterfly) (Pieris brassicae)

lives throughout Eastern Europe, northern Africa to the Japanese islands, and was also introduced to South America. The caterpillar is 3.5 cm long, has 16 legs and has a light green body covered with black warts and short black hairs. Depending on the weather, the caterpillar stage lasts from 13 to 38 days. These caterpillars feed on cabbage, horseradish, radishes, turnips, turnips and shepherd's purse. They are considered the main pest of cabbage.

Moth caterpillar (surveyor) (Geometridae)

characterized by long thin body and undeveloped abdominal legs, due to which it differs in an original way movement - bends in a loop, while pulling the abdominal legs towards the pectoral legs. The family includes more than 23 thousand species of moths, distributed throughout the world. All types of caterpillars of this family have well-developed muscles, so they are able to attach themselves vertically to plants, perfectly imitating broken branches and petioles. The color of the caterpillars is similar to the color of foliage or bark, which additionally serves as an excellent camouflage. They eat tree needles, currants and hazel.

(Cerura vinula = Dicranura vinula)

lives throughout Europe, Central Asia and northern Africa. Adult caterpillars grow up to 6 cm and are distinguished by a green body with a purple diamond on the back, bordered by a white outline. In case of danger, the caterpillar inflates, takes a threatening pose and sprays out a caustic substance. The insect remains in the caterpillar stage from early summer to September, feeding on the leaves of plants from the willow and poplar families, including the common aspen.

Redtail caterpillar (Calliteara pudibunda)

found in the forest-steppe zone throughout Eurasia, as well as in Asia Minor and Central Asia. A caterpillar up to 5 cm long is pinkish, brown or gray. The body is densely covered with individual hairs or tufts of hair, at the end there is a tail of protruding crimson-colored hairs. This is a poisonous caterpillar: upon contact with human skin, it causes a painful allergy. These caterpillars eat leaves different trees and shrubs, especially preferring hops.

Silkworm caterpillar(Bombyx mori) or silkworm

Lives in East Asia: in northern China and Russia, in the southern regions of Primorye. The caterpillar is 6-7 cm long, its wavy body is densely covered with blue and brown hairy warts. After 4 molts, completing the 32-day development cycle, the color of the caterpillar becomes yellow. The food of the silkworm caterpillar is exclusively mulberry leaves. This insect has been actively used in sericulture since the 27th century BC. e.

Corrosive woodworm caterpillar(Zeuzera pyrina)

from the woodworm family. It is found in all European countries except the Far North, as well as in South Africa, Southeast Asia and North America. It overwinters twice, during which time it changes color from yellow-pink to yellow-orange with black, glossy warts. The length of the insect is 5-6 cm. Caterpillars live inside branches and trunks various trees, feeding on their juices.

Lady Bear Caterpillar(Callimorpha dominula) or bear girls

lives in the territory of Eastern Western Europe and in southeast Asia. It overwinters once and is distinguished by its black and blue color with yellow stripes and spots. Lives on nettles, geraniums, willows, raspberries, strawberries, and feeds on them.

Swallowtail caterpillar(Papilio machaon)

lives throughout Europe, Asia, northern Africa and North America. One of the most colorful caterpillars: at first black, with scarlet warts, and as it grows it becomes green with black transverse stripes. Each stripe contains 6-8 red-orange spots. The disturbed caterpillar secretes an odorous orange-yellow liquid. It feeds on carrots, celery, wormwood, parsley, and sometimes alder leaves.

The smallest caterpillar in the world is a member of the moth family.

For example, clothes moth caterpillars ( Tineola bisselliella), having just emerged from the egg, reach a length of only 1 mm.

The largest caterpillar in the world- this is the caterpillar of the peacock eye atlas ( Attacus atlas).

The bluish-green caterpillar, as if dusted with white dust, grows up to 12 cm in length.

Poisonous caterpillars - description, types and photos

Among the caterpillars there are quite poisonous specimens, so a bite from such a caterpillar or accidentally touching it can cause unpleasant sensations. Typically, such contact results in pain at the site of contact, redness and swelling of the skin, and less commonly, an itchy rash may appear. There are frequent cases of drowsiness, headache, gastrointestinal upset, increased blood pressure and temperature. In a word, don’t be fooled by the bright and spectacular appearance these creatures - sometimes they are dangerous.

The most famous poisonous caterpillars, ready to defend themselves from enemies and protect their food from attacks with the help of a “poisonous cocktail,” include:

Coquette caterpillar ( Megalopyge opercularis)
Hoary caterpillar ( Sibine stimulation)
Caterpillar "stinging rose" ( Parasa indetermina)
Spiny oak slug caterpillar ( Euclea delphinii)
Caterpillar of the damselfish bear ( Tyria jacobaeae)
Traveling silkworm caterpillar ( Thaumetopoea pityocampa)
Hickory bear caterpillar ( Lophocampa caryae)
Lazy clown caterpillar ( Lonomia obliqua)
Saturnia Maya caterpillar ( Hemileuca maia)
Volyanka caterpillar ( Orgyia leucostigma)

Poisonous coquette caterpillar ( Megalopyge opercularis)

This is an insect that looks quite cute and resembles a miniature furry animal. However, this caterpillar is one of the most poisonous caterpillars found on the North American continent and Mexico. The color of the “fur coat”, under which the poisonous spines are located, varies from light gray to golden or red-brown. The length of the caterpillar does not exceed three centimeters, the width of the body is 1 cm, but even such modest dimensions make it very dangerous. After contact with an insect, within a couple of minutes, acute throbbing pain and noticeable redness of the skin, even bruising, appear at the site of contact. Later, painful enlargement of the lymph nodes, shortness of breath and chest pain occur.

Hoary caterpillar ( Sibine stimulation)

the caterpillar is bright green in color, both ends of the body are brown, the middle of the body has a brownish spot surrounded by a white border, which makes this area look like a saddle. The length of the caterpillar living in the Northern and South America, is 2-3 centimeters, two pairs of fleshy horns-processes are equipped with hard hairs, which contain quite strong poison. The prick of these furry stings causes severe pain, swelling of the skin, rash and nausea that lasts for several days.

Poisonous caterpillar "lazy clown" ( Lonomia obliqua)

the insect, which lives en masse in Uruguay and Mozambique, has the most powerful natural toxin known today. The caterpillar can reach 6-7 centimeters in length, has a greenish-brown color, and accumulates venom in spruce-shaped shoots in the shape of a herringbone. It loves shade, so the caterpillar usually lives in the foliage of trees, but often moves into residential courtyards. As a result of contact with this insect on skin painful hemorrhages appear, the caterpillar's venom can affect internal organs, causing renal colic, bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, pulmonary edema and even disorders nervous system.

Fighting caterpillars: means and methods

Many types of caterpillars are pests and eat fruit trees, fruits and vegetables.

There are many methods to combat caterpillars, grouped into 3 main groups:

mechanical means of combat with caterpillars traditional methods consist of manually collecting and shaking off caterpillars from plants, as well as cutting off wintering clutches. A proven method is to catch caterpillars using trapping adhesive belts and various traps with bait liquid.
biological control methods are aimed at attracting natural enemies of caterpillars, primarily birds. For this purpose, gardens are created comfortable conditions for their nesting (birdhouses, nest boxes, feeders) and with a small number of caterpillars are completely destroyed.
chemical control methods with caterpillars are considered the most effective, but they cause addiction in caterpillars, so poisonous drugs (biological and chemical) should be alternated. Rovikurt, Karbofos, Lepidocide, Kilzar, and Karate are considered to be excellent products.

If the invasion of caterpillars is not significantly threatening, you can try decoctions and infusions of plants as a control: black henbane (against the cabbage caterpillar), hemlock (against all leaf-eating caterpillars), as well as red elderberry and peppermint.

Caterpillars - photo. The most unusual and beautiful caterpillars

Entomophagy, or the eating of insects, has flourished since prehistoric times. Caterpillars of more than 80 genera of butterflies occupy a place of honor on gourmet menus. Caterpillars are eaten raw or fried, dried over hot coals, boiled, salted, and added to omelettes and sauces.
The silkworm is of great economic importance for a number of silk producing countries. Indeed, from 100 kg of cocoons it is possible to isolate 9 kg of silk thread.
The coloring of any caterpillar to one degree or another imitates environmental conditions and is the best remedy camouflage and protection.

We offer you 12 interesting facts about insects that will be of interest to children:

1.All insects have common features: six legs, antennae and wings. Their body seems to be divided into parts by thin lines - notches. Hence the name – “insects”.

2. The ladybug is of great benefit: it destroys many plant pests - aphids. The ladybug is cunning - she can pretend to be dead if you put her on your palm. At the first danger, a ladybug secretes a yellow liquid - even if a bird once grabs a ladybug, it will understand that this bug is not tasty, will remember its color and will not touch it again.

3.Why do they say that the grasshopper plays the violin? The fact is that there are special notches on its wings. He rubs them quickly, quickly, against each other, as if moving a bow across a violin, and a chirping sound is heard. Let the baby take a good look at the grasshopper (what color it is, does it have antennae and eyes), and at the same time think about why it needs such long hind legs. To jump, of course!

4. Bees, bumblebees and wasps are pollinating insects. After all, without them, flowers would never become fruits, and that means we would not be able to enjoy delicious apples.

5.Children are often afraid of stinging insects. But the one who waves his arms and screams in fear is more likely to be stung by a bee than a calm person. Because insects will not be the first to attack.

6.Ant is the strongest on earth! He can carry weights up to 10 times his own weight. If adults don’t forget to bring a magnifying glass to the dacha, with its help kids will learn a lot of interesting things about the life of these ubiquitous ants. To do this, it is enough to find a small anthill with little holes in the ground and watch it from time to time: what do the ants do, how do they treat each other, what kind of prey do they carry, how far do they run away from their home?

7.The main pest for country garden- Colorado potato beetle, which regularly “attacks” potatoes. The child needs to be told about the harm this insect causes and ask for help in fighting it. Children usually do a good job of this task, collecting bugs in a jar of water while exercising their fingers.

8. Another serious enemy of the garden is the mole cricket. This is a large insect that lives in the ground and feeds on potato tubers, carrots and young parts of plants. You can find it while digging up potatoes. The bear is sure to make a strong impression on children due to its large size and terrifying appearance. And her paws are of particular interest to little researchers. They are well suited for digging. The mole cricket does not bite. She can fly and even chirp like a cricket.

9. It’s interesting to watch the fireflies at night. The firefly flies in zigzags. Be sure to show with your hand in the air how a firefly flies. In the dark, the firefly glows with a yellowish light.

10.Bees collect nectar from which they make honey. A bee collects nectar with its proboscis. Bees have a whole set of tools on their feet. Here you will see brushes for collecting flower pollen, baskets for transferring pollen, and brushes that bees use to clean their eyes from pollen that has entered them. Bees, flying, buzz: “w-w-w-w-w-w-w.” Play bees with your child: repeating this sound is useful for speech development.

11. In the summer, in a village or country house, you will probably see a dragonfly. These beautiful insects hunt in the air: in flight, they keep their strong hairy legs folded in a net at the ready. Their sleepy victims end up in these “nets”. Interestingly, in just an hour, a dragonfly can eat as many as 40 house flies. If you want to make a dragonfly from plasticine, it is useful to know that its body consists of three parts: head, chest and abdomen.

12. A bumblebee flies very quickly, at the speed of an adult cyclist (18 km/h). It has a soft coat that helps keep it warm in the early morning. Bumblebees live in their “bumblebee towns” (about 200 individuals each). In the morning they are not allowed to sleep. Before dawn, a “trumpeter” appears in bumblebee nests and buzzes, rousing his fellow tribesmen to work collecting pollen. To “develop” the topic about bumblebees, you can play for your child an audio recording of “The Flight of the Bumblebee” from the opera by N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov "The Tsar's Bride". This is how bumblebees will help your child become familiar with classical music.

Hocus Pocus: Caterpillars turn into butterflies!
Who among us in childhood was not surprised at the transformation of a nasty caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly? This transformation is akin to magic for the baby. Therefore, even if the baby’s parents have never seen this happen before, it’s time to do it now with the baby. First you need to catch a few caterpillars. It's better if they are different.
Firstly, not all caterpillars can be hatched into butterflies, and secondly, it will be interesting to compare the behavior of different insects.
Cabbage butterfly caterpillars can be found in the garden, on cabbage or radish. They are blue-green, with three yellow longitudinal stripes and black specks. But you can’t take them with your bare hands. The caustic secretions of these caterpillars irritate the skin. The child should know about this. Matte green caterpillars of the reptile butterfly can also be found here. And if you are very lucky, you can find a swallowtail caterpillar on carrots, parsley or dill. It is large, clearly visible, green with black stripes and red specks on them. Urticaria caterpillars live where they are supposed to be based on their name - on nettles. In the same place or on raspberries you can also find caterpillars of the peacock butterfly. Caterpillars of various silkworms or apple moths gnaw leaves on fruit trees.
Future butterflies need to be collected and placed in a jar or plastic bottle with the top cut off. Plants or twigs on which the caterpillars were sitting should also be placed there, and the vessel should be covered with gauze. Green food needs to be changed every 2 days. Now you can watch your pets together with your baby: how they chew leaves, how they crawl, how they grow. After some time, the caterpillars will pupate and turn into pupae. In this state it is better not to disturb them. All you have to do is be patient and wait. Until that wonderful moment when a beautiful butterfly emerges from a motionless chrysalis.

A caterpillar is the larva of a butterfly, moth or moth - insects from the order Lepidoptera.

Caterpillar - description, characteristics, structure and photo. What does a caterpillar look like?

Torso

The length of the caterpillar, according to the variety, varies from a few millimeters to 12 cm, as in individual specimens of the Saturnia butterfly (peacock eye).

The caterpillar's body consists of a clearly visible head, thoracic, abdominal sections and several pairs of limbs located on the chest and abdomen.

Head

A round head shape is typical for most caterpillars, although there are exceptions. For example, many hawk moths have a triangle-shaped head, while other species have a rectangular head. The parietal parts can protrude strongly above the head, forming a kind of “horns”. Small antennae, consisting of 3 consecutive joints, grow on the sides of the head.

Oral apparatus

All caterpillars are distinguished by a gnawing type of mouthparts. The insect's upper jaws are well formed: their upper edge contains teeth designed for gnawing or tearing food. Inside there are tubercles that perform the function of chewing food. The salivary glands are transformed into specific spinning (silk-secreting) glands.

Eyes

Torso

The insect's respiratory organ, the spiracle, is a stigma located on the chest. Only in species living in water are the spiracles replaced by tracheal gills.

There are no completely naked caterpillars: the body of each is covered with various formations - outgrowths, hairs or a well-grown cuticle. Cuticle growths are star-shaped, spines or granules that look like small hairs or bristles. Moreover, the bristles grow in a strictly defined way, characteristic of a particular family, genus and even species. The outgrowths consist of raised skin formations - tubercles, similar to flat, round or oval warts and spines. Caterpillar hairs are represented by thin individual threads or tufts.

Life in a cocoon

To survive during the period of “inaction” and defenselessness, caterpillars find suitable sheet, a branch or tree trunk, to which they can unnoticed “stick” with a strong silk thread, which they secrete from the abdomen.

To understand how a caterpillar turns into butterflies, you should delve into its ability to properly prepare yourself for this.

Having stuck to the selected surface, the caterpillar hangs on the silk thread and begins to wrap it around its body. This happens gradually, but what is important is that when wrapped, the caterpillar gives its cocoon an appearance similar to a leaf, bud or stem of the plant it has chosen.

The resemblance is so obvious that only a very observant eye can detect a cocoon on its surface. This is done so that the defenseless caterpillar is not found and eaten.

How a caterpillar turns into a butterfly inside a cocoon can only be seen by filming with special equipment in laboratory conditions. This process is so slow and secretive that it is impossible to observe it in nature.

The reserves that the caterpillar has managed to deposit in its body are quite enough for the strength to metamorphose into a butterfly.

Types of caterpillars - photos and names

Among the great variety of different caterpillars, the following varieties are of greatest interest:

Cabbage caterpillar or cabbage butterfly caterpillar(cabbage whiteweed) (lat. Pieris brassicae) lives throughout Eastern Europe, northern Africa to the Japanese islands, and was also introduced to South America. The caterpillar is 3.5 cm long, has 16 legs and has a light green body covered with black warts and short black hairs. Depending on the weather, the caterpillar stage lasts from 13 to 38 days. These caterpillars feed on cabbage, horseradish, radishes, turnips, turnips and shepherd's purse. They are considered the main pest of cabbage.

Moth caterpillar (surveyor)(lat. Geometridae) is characterized by a long thin body and undeveloped abdominal legs, due to which it is distinguished by an original method of movement - it bends in a loop, while pulling the abdominal legs towards the pectoral legs. The family includes more than 23 thousand species of moths, distributed throughout the world. All types of caterpillars of this family have well-developed muscles, so they are able to attach themselves vertically to plants, perfectly imitating broken branches and petioles. The color of the caterpillars is similar to the color of foliage or bark, which additionally serves as an excellent camouflage. They eat tree needles, currants and hazel.

Great Harpy Caterpillar(lat. Cerura vinula = Dicranura vinula) lives throughout Europe, Central Asia and northern Africa. Adult caterpillars grow up to 6 cm and are distinguished by a green body with a purple diamond on the back, bordered by a white outline. In case of danger, the caterpillar inflates, takes a threatening pose and sprays out a caustic substance. The insect remains in the caterpillar stage from early summer to September, feeding on the leaves of plants from the willow and poplar families, including the common aspen.

Redtail caterpillar(bashful woolly foot) (lat. Calliteara pudibunda) is found in the forest-steppe zone throughout Eurasia, as well as in Asia Minor and Central Asia. The caterpillar, up to 5 cm long, is pinkish, brown or gray in color. The body is densely covered with individual hairs or tufts of hair, at the end there is a tail of protruding crimson-colored hairs. This is a poisonous caterpillar: upon contact with human skin, it causes a painful allergy. These caterpillars eat the foliage of various trees and shrubs, especially preferring hops.

Silkworm caterpillar(lat. Bombyx mori) or silkworm. Lives in East Asia: in northern China and Russia, in the southern regions of Primorye. The caterpillar is 6-7 cm long, its wavy body is densely covered with blue and brown hairy warts. After 4 molts, completing the 32-day development cycle, the color of the caterpillar becomes yellow. The food of the silkworm caterpillar is exclusively mulberry leaves. This insect has been actively used in sericulture since the 27th century BC. e.

Corrosive woodworm caterpillar(lat. Zeuzera pyrina) from the woodworm family. It is found in all European countries except the Far North, as well as in South Africa, Southeast Asia and North America. It overwinters twice, during which time it changes color from yellow-pink to yellow-orange with black, glossy warts. The length of the insect is 5-6 cm. Caterpillars live inside the branches and trunks of various trees, feeding on their juices.

Lady Bear Caterpillar(lat. Callimorpha dominula) or female bear lives in Eastern, Western Europe and southeast Asia. It overwinters once and is distinguished by its black and blue color with yellow stripes and spots. Lives on nettles, geraniums, willows, raspberries, strawberries, and feeds on them.

Swallowtail caterpillar(lat. Papilio machaon) lives throughout Europe, Asia, northern Africa and North America. One of the most colorful caterpillars: at first black, with scarlet warts, and as it grows it becomes green with black transverse stripes. Each stripe contains 6-8 red-orange spots. The disturbed caterpillar secretes an odorous orange-yellow liquid. It feeds on carrots, celery, wormwood, parsley, and sometimes alder leaves.

The smallest caterpillar in the world is a member of the moth family. For example, clothes moth caterpillars (lat. Tineola bisselliella), which have just emerged from eggs, reach a length of only 1 mm.

The largest caterpillar in the world- This is the caterpillar of the peacock eye atlas (lat. Attacus atlas). The bluish-green caterpillar, as if dusted with white dust, grows up to 12 cm in length.

Poisonous caterpillars - description, types and photos.

Among the caterpillars there are quite poisonous specimens, so a bite from such a caterpillar or accidentally touching it can cause unpleasant sensations. Typically, such contact results in pain at the site of contact, redness and swelling of the skin, and less commonly, an itchy rash may appear. There are frequent cases of drowsiness, headache, gastrointestinal upset, increased blood pressure and temperature. In a word, do not be deceived by the bright and spectacular appearance of these creatures - sometimes they are dangerous.

The most famous poisonous caterpillars, ready to defend themselves from enemies and protect their food from attacks with the help of a “poisonous cocktail,” include:

Coquette caterpillar (lat. Megalopyge opercularis)
Saddle caterpillar (lat. Sibine stimulea)
Caterpillar “stinging rose” (lat. Parasa indetermina)
Spiny oak slug caterpillar (lat. Euclea delphinii)
Caterpillar of the black bear (lat. Tyria jacobaeae)
Traveling silkworm caterpillar (lat. Thaumetopoea pityocampa)
Hickory bear caterpillar (Lophocampa caryae)
Lazy clown caterpillar (lat. Lonomia obliqua)
Saturnia Maya caterpillar (lat. Hemileuca maia)
Volyanka caterpillar (lat. Orgyia leucostigma)

Poisonous caterpillar(lat. Megalopyge opercularis) is an insect that looks quite cute and resembles a miniature furry animal. However, this caterpillar is one of the most poisonous caterpillars found on the North American continent and Mexico. The color of the “fur coat”, under which the poisonous spines are located, varies from light gray to golden or red-brown. The length of the caterpillar does not exceed three centimeters, the width of the body is 1 cm, but even such modest dimensions make it very dangerous. After contact with an insect, within a couple of minutes, acute throbbing pain and noticeable redness of the skin, even bruising, appear at the site of contact. Later, painful enlargement of the lymph nodes, shortness of breath and chest pain occur.

Saddle Caterpillar(lat. Sibine stimulea) - a caterpillar of bright green color, both ends of the body are brown, the middle of the body has a brownish spot enclosed in a white edging, which gives this area a resemblance to a saddle. The length of the caterpillar, which lives in North and South America, is 2-3 centimeters; two pairs of fleshy appendages are equipped with stiff hairs, which contain quite strong poison. The prick of these furry stings causes severe pain, swelling of the skin, rash and nausea that lasts for several days.

Poisonous caterpillar “lazy clown”(lat. Lonomia obliqua) - an insect that lives en masse in Uruguay and Mozambique, has the most powerful natural toxin known today. The caterpillar can reach 6-7 centimeters in length, has a greenish-brown color, and accumulates venom in spruce-shaped shoots in the shape of a herringbone. It loves shade, so the caterpillar usually lives in the foliage of trees, but often moves into residential courtyards. As a result of contact with this insect, painful hemorrhages appear on the skin; the caterpillar's venom can affect internal organs, causing renal colic, bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, pulmonary edema and even nervous system disorders.

Fighting caterpillars: means and methods.

Many species of caterpillars are pests and eat fruit trees, fruits and vegetables.

There are many methods to combat caterpillars, grouped into 3 main groups:

mechanical means of combat with caterpillars, folk methods consist of manually collecting and shaking off caterpillars from plants, as well as cutting off wintering clutches. A proven method is to catch caterpillars using trapping adhesive belts and various traps with bait liquid.
biological control methods are aimed at attracting natural enemies of caterpillars, primarily birds. To do this, comfortable conditions for their nesting are created in the gardens (birdhouses, nest boxes, feeders) and when the number of caterpillars is small, they are completely destroyed.
chemical control methods with caterpillars are considered the most effective, but they cause addiction in caterpillars, so poisonous drugs (biological and chemical) should be alternated. Rovikurt, Karbofos, Lepidocide, Kilzar, and Karate are considered to be excellent products.

Entomophagy, or the eating of insects, has flourished since prehistoric times. Caterpillars of more than 80 genera of butterflies occupy a place of honor on gourmet menus. Caterpillars are eaten raw or fried, dried over hot coals, boiled, salted, and added to omelettes and sauces.
The silkworm is of great economic importance for a number of silk producing countries. Indeed, from 100 kg of cocoons it is possible to isolate 9 kg of silk thread.
The coloring of any caterpillar to one degree or another imitates environmental conditions and is the best means of camouflage and protection.

Video

The caterpillar is a larva - an interesting hairy creature that undergoes a transformation and becomes beautiful butterfly or a moth. The process of this transformation is fascinating, and its result is amazing.

What does a caterpillar look like?

A caterpillar is a small, long insect. The larva, depending on the species and family, grows from a few millimeters to a maximum of 12 cm. Their body is longitudinal. Consists of a head, 3 thoracic and 10 abdominal segments. Their whole body is soft - not covered with a protective, hard shell. But the caterpillar has peculiar bristles. They may vary in density and location depending on the species.

Different larvae have different patterns. There is an opinion that caterpillars are exclusively green. In fact, this is not so. In nature you can find larvae whose color is very variegated and contains almost all the colors of the rainbow. Basically, all caterpillars move smoothly, rearranging their legs one by one. However, there are also types that fold like an accordion when moving. Thanks to this way of moving, these larvae were called land surveyors.

Characteristics and structure

Each larva immediately upon hatching from the egg has 3 pairs of legs in the front part of the body. Their size immediately corresponds to the size of an adult insect, that is, these organs will not grow in the caterpillar throughout its entire life. Some species also have “false” legs. They are located in the abdominal part of the body. Mostly there are up to five such pairs. The hairs that cover the entire body of the caterpillar are not harmless. They contain toxic substances. If they come into contact with the skin, they can severely burn or cause injury.

The caterpillar's mouth is capable of biting off and chewing food, which cannot be said, for example, about butterflies, since they feed through the proboscis. The larvae are able to evaluate food using special antennae, which are located next to the mandibles. Caterpillars have a well-developed digestive system. The insect has several intestinal sections. The larva also has spinning glands and nerve ganglia. There are small holes along the body - breathing holes.

caterpillar coquette photo

The newly born caterpillar experiences such intense hunger that the first thing it eats is an abandoned egg. The development of the caterpillar can continue for several years. When the larva has gone through all the stages of molting and reached adulthood, it transforms into a pupa, from which a butterfly emerges. Caterpillars Molt Newly hatched caterpillars begin to eat a lot. Soon their body seems small to them, since the skin cannot stretch. In this regard, the larva stops eating food for some time and sheds its cover. Scientists call this molting.

As soon as the caterpillar has a new skin, it begins to lead the same life as before, until this skin hardens. Thus, the larva molts more than once. Usually there are 5 such processes. By losing its covers and growing new ones, the caterpillar thereby grows and develops. In four weeks it can reach adult size.

Where do caterpillars live?

For most caterpillars, their usual habitat is the ground. However, there are also species that prefer an aquatic lifestyle, for example, broad-winged moths. In nature, there are also larvae that can safely live both on land and in water. Biologists divide these insects into two subgroups: secretive larvae and larvae leading an open life.

harpy caterpillar photo

The first group includes:

Leafworms - these insects go through everything life stages in wrapped tree leaves.
Carpophagous - hiding in fruits.
Xylophages - live in the bark of trees and in plant trunks.
Miners - with the help of their growth, they break through small passages and live in dense leaves, buds or in the peel.
Gall formers - settle in plants and cause pathological growth in them.
Underground - inhabit top layer land. Aquatic - live in fresh water bodies.

The second subgroup settles openly on plants.

What do larvae eat?

The first "dish" in the life of a caterpillar is the egg from which it hatched. Most larvae are considered herbivores. However, even here, caterpillars can be divided into categories depending on their preferences:

Regardless of the species, each larva is capable of secreting silk threads. They serve to secure the tracks to surfaces and move them. While moving, a thin thread of silk trails behind the insect. This path can even save a caterpillar if it falls from a branch.

silkworm caterpillar photo

Silk thread is very strong and can hold the spinner. The caterpillar spins thread using a special organ. It is a complex apparatus consisting of a papilla-tube and a plate - sclerite. It is placed slightly below the oral cavity.

The resulting silk slowly leaves the labial glands. The substance takes on the form of a thread only after pressing. Biologists are still studying the process of hardening of the silk substance. However, they are sure that this does not happen due to air drying. Since even aquatic caterpillars form hard silk threads directly in the aquatic environment.

Types of caterpillars

Cabbage caterpillar;
Moth caterpillar;
Great Harpy Caterpillar;
Redtail;
Silkworm;
Wood is corrosive;
Lady Bear Caterpillar;
Swallowtail.

Poisonous caterpillars

In nature you can find a poisonous species of this insect. A touch or bite from such a caterpillar causes a chemical burn and discomfort, although sometimes the consequences can be much more serious.

Caterpillar burning rose photo

Contact may also result in local itching or rash. Allergy sufferers experience symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, feeling unwell, stomach upset. Many people are unaware that there can be danger behind bright colors.

Which insects are best not to touch:

Coquette caterpillar. Looks like a furry animal. Poisonous thorns are hidden under its fur.
"Burning Rose" The cover of this caterpillar is very bright: bright and yellow spots cover dangerous protruding tubercles.
Oak caterpillar. Green insect with longitudinal red stripes. It has small spikes on its sides.
Traveling silkworm. The black-brown insect is covered with a million small harpoons.
"Lazy Clown" Perhaps one of the most dangerous caterpillars. Its poison, having penetrated the human body, can be fatal. Its thorns look like spruce thorns. The slightest touch to them causes internal bleeding.
Volyanka caterpillar. The bright red head immediately identifies this caterpillar. Her body is translucent with long spines.

Fighting caterpillars

On garden plots people do not rejoice at such guests as caterpillars. After all, this voracious insect can harm many plants and fruits in the garden. People have come up with many ways to combat this pest. Getting rid of larvae using caterpillar glue. This mechanical method is considered the most environmentally friendly, since it does not affect the plants themselves.

Whitewashing trees or digging up the area so that insects get into the grooves and cannot reach the plants. Tree processing chemical solutions. These include: karbofos and antio emulsion. IN recent years Biological products that cause much less harm to plants than chemicals are becoming popular.

The most unusual and beautiful caterpillars

Hubbrad's Small Silkmoth. Thanks to its amazing color, the night caterpillar hides well from predators.
Blue Morpho. The habitat of this larva is Central America. This insect is dangerous to other insects due to the fact that it accumulates strong poison in its body. Sometimes these caterpillars engage in cannibalism.
Cerura Vinula. This caterpillar knows how to defend itself perfectly. Active life butterfly leads to dark time days.

During the first 2 months of life, the caterpillar gains weight, which exceeds its original weight by 20 thousand times.
If you unwrap a caterpillar cocoon, you can get a silk thread whose length is 300-900 meters.
The caterpillar can live up to 15 years. The larvae can withstand temperatures down to -70 degrees.

Thus, caterpillars are unusual insects. Behind their colorful appearance there may be a dangerous predator lurking. For many gardeners, this insect will always be on the list of pests.

The world around us seems huge and magical to children. It is filled with sounds, colors, transformations and various creatures: plants, insects. If adults help the child master this beautiful world, then he gets a lot of unforgettable impressions, which he remembers later all his life.

First of all, it is worth drawing children’s attention to insects from the “close environment”. These are ladybugs, caterpillars, butterflies, and grasshoppers. We got used to their presence and almost stopped noticing, and children will enjoy listening to stories about the everyday life of these funny creatures.

Ladybugs are outwardly quite good-natured and slow-moving insects. In fact, they are merciless predators. If there are a lot of them in the garden, then the owners can rest assured: tireless bugs with charming polka dot colors will destroy pests every day all summer. Just imagine: one ladybug eats almost 300 aphids per day! These are real little warriors, which, moreover, are inedible for garden birds and other insects

Caterpillars, unlike ladybugs, are an insidious enemy of plants. They can destroy green leaves and spoil fruits and berries. Of course, birds help gardeners get rid of caterpillars, but it is not so easy to find these pests on trees. They adapt remarkably well, pretending to be either bird droppings or a twig. And caterpillars know how to defend themselves: for example, splashing acid

But how good are harmful caterpillars when they turn into beautiful butterflies! These wonderful creatures flutter from flower to flower, feasting on nectar and carrying pollen on their paws. There are at least 140 thousand species of butterflies in the world. Among them there are giants with a wingspan of about 30 cm (Queen Alexandra’s birdwing) and little ones with a wingspan of less than two centimeters (African “blue dwarf”)

Telling children about insects, you can dwell in more detail on their habits. For example, how do grasshoppers produce that characteristic sound that fills the garden on summer days? It turns out that the grasshopper is a real violinist: on its wings there is a special vein, which it moves along a small membrane, similar to an oval mirror, and chirps.

Curious facts from the world of insects

The older the child gets, the more interesting it is for him to study information about insects. For example, how are bees and wasps different? They seem to be similar, but we consider the wasp to be an annoying and aggressive uninvited guest, and the bee to be a great worker. Why?

It will be useful for children to learn that bees live and work in large families, in which each has its own responsibilities: there is a “queen” bee, worker bees, warriors, builders, etc. Together they store honey, which they generously share with people. There are others healthy products beekeeping products that we use for treatment are propolis, wax, bee venom.

Wasps are predators. They feed on fruits, food scraps, nectar, and feed the larvae with prey: flies, bees, reptiles and even small mammals.

But fluffy hard workers bumblebees live very little by human standards - only one summer. They flutter from flower to flower, helping them to pollinate. Only the queen bumblebee remains to spend the winter, which in the spring will have to find a place for a new nest and raise a new “team” of bumblebees in it.

There are many more interesting things you can tell children about insects. It is important that the children understand how wisely nature takes care of each of its creatures, therefore a person should treat them with care, and not needlessly offend our many “lesser brothers.”