Term for the larvae of butterflies or moths. The morphologically quite similar caterpillars are equipped with dot eyes, small antennae and chewing mouthparts. They are among the worst vine pests, and young plants are particularly at risk. They live by feeding on leaves, shoots and sometimes grapes, leaving behind mealy secretions. The caterpillar is the feeding stage in the development of the butterflies, after four to five moults the transformation to the pupa takes place, inside which the metamorphosis to the full insect then takes place.

Caterpillar species: 1 = vine hawkmoth, 2 = Rhomb moth, 3 = owl caterpillar, 4 = grape berry moth
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