To identify which is the largest caterpillar in nature is quite difficult, since special studies in this area are not carried out. But it is logical to assume that if a butterfly appears from a caterpillar through a cocoon stage, then the largest caterpillars should be sought among the largest butterflies in the world. Following this principle, as well as exploring Wikipedia, we will present the TOP-12 of the largest caterpillars in the world.
12
Moths / Geometridae
One of the most common caterpillar in Russian latitudes, though not the largest, but one of the longest in the world.
The long body and underdevelopment of the false legs in the front of the abdomen caused its peculiar movement. Because of this, the moths were called surveyors.
Moths were painted the color of the bark, which is why it is difficult to notice, mistaking it for a small branch. During danger, possessing strong muscles, they stretch the body and freeze, remaining in this position for a long time.
11
Wine hawker / Deilephila elpenor
This large green caterpillar lives among grape leaves, and it can be found from mid-June to August, and then goes into the pupal stage.
Such a caterpillar grows to 50 mm, and the color can vary from light green to brown. In some regions of the planet you can also find black caterpillars of the wine hawthorn.
A caterpillar with a horn on its tail on the 4th and 5th ring of its body has 4 pairs of false eyes. It feeds on fireweed, ivan-tea, grape leaves and less often - flowers of the balsamic family.
10
Arboretum / Cossus cossus
Xylophagous caterpillars, that is, those that feed mainly on wood, live mainly on willows, poplars, but are also found on fruit trees.
This is a large pink caterpillar, and in the late period of development they have a brown-red color with a dark back and a black head. Reach sizes from 80 to 120 mm. Usually they settle on old, already diseased trees, and winter in chambers specially gnawed on tree trunks.
Aromatic woodworms are widespread in Russia, and in the Moscow Region a record of 9 cm in length was found for these latitudes.
9
Big peacock eye / Saturnia pyri
Caterpillars of this beautiful nocturnal butterfly develop from June to August, and have an unusual, and even frightening appearance.
A rather large caterpillar growing up to 100 mm has a bright green body color on which club-shaped hairs with thickenings at the tip are evenly placed. Most often, such an unusual individual can be found on fruit trees, as well as on walnuts.
Before pupating, the green caterpillar with blue dots acquires a brownish color. In the directories you can find other names - peacock-eye pear or saturnia.
8
Linden shred / Mimas tiliae
Already by name you can understand that these caterpillars live on lindens, but also do not disdain to eat leaves of elms, birches, alders. In addition, shredder is a frequent guest on fruit trees.
It grows to 50-60 mm, and the body color is light greenish. On the sides along the entire length of the calf are red stripes, and below, on the abdomen - yellow. This stage of butterfly development lasts from late June to August.
Before pupation, the caterpillar of the linden-hawthorn changes color, and the dolls winters not on a tree, but on the ground.
7
Machaon / Papilio machaon
The distribution area of a large and beautiful caterpillar is quite extensive, and it can be found in the vastness of North America, Eurasia and North Africa.
There are two stages in its development. The first stage lasts from May to June, and the second - from August to September. It is in the second that the machaon reaches its maximum size, acquiring an unusual color with black stripes and orange spots on the body.
Likes to eat flowers, and before pupation, starves, practically without eating.
6
Blind Horn / Smerinthus caecus
The Blind Horn caterpillar has a greenish body color with a large spike at the end of the trunk.
Her breathing apparatus is red, and oblique white stripes are located over the entire surface of the body. It can be confused with the caterpillar of the eye-beetle, but the blind man has black spots on the end of the horn and on the tips of his legs.
In the adult period, they reach a length of up to 70 mm, and their life cycle runs from July to the end of August. They feed mainly on willows, sometimes on poplars and birches.
5
Polyxena / Zerynthia polyxena
The caterpillar has Polyxena, or as they are beautifully called, the Black Polyksen sailboat, a very limited diet. Spectacular caterpillars can only eat four species of plants.
At the beginning of development, they are nondescript, almost black, but before pupation they acquire an unusual bright color with black spots on a white-green-yellowish body.
A beautiful caterpillar, despite its delicate appearance, will not give offense, and at the moment of danger it releases a fetid liquid.
4
Ursa Kaya / Arctia caja
The caterpillar stage of this nocturnal beauty lasts from September to May, and in the final stage of development, her body reaches a length of 60 mm.
This species is a polyphage, and leaves are eaten by both fruit and wild trees, as well as inflorescences and leaves of berry bushes. The large furry caterpillar is black in color, and the whole body is covered with small hairs.
In times of danger, the Kaya bear falls from tree branches to the ground and pretends to be dead, curling up in a ball. It is worth noting that the caterpillar itself is dangerous, because at the tips of the hairs there is poison, which causes allergies, and when it gets into the eyes - conjunctivitis.
By the way, since we are talking about poison, then you may have an interesting article about the most poisonous spiders in the world, which we recently published on our TheBiggest.ru site!
3
Harpy big / Cerura vinula
Perhaps one of the most beautiful caterpillars in the world, having an unusual color.
It itself is green, and on the back there is a purple spot in the shape of a rhombus. A brown head with a bright red border is pulled into the chest, which gives the caterpillar an unusual look. The thick caterpillar grows up to 6 cm, and at the end of the calf is a fork-like outgrowth.
When in danger, it inflates, becomes in a threatening pose. In addition, in defense, caustic fluid is released from the thoracic segment, which can cause slight irritation on the skin of a person.
2
Peacock-eye Atlas / Attacus atlas
A large caterpillar feeds alone on tree branches and shrubs, and is not considered a pest.
She has a green torso with blue dots all over her body. Adult individuals reach a length of 10 cm. Especially love the leaves of tropical trees, and in artificial conditions they willingly eat lilac, poplar and oak leaves.
The caterpillar is of great importance in the economic life of man. In India, they produce silk, which is distinguished by strength and wool. But in Thailand, cocoons are used as purses.
1
Royal Nut Moth / Citheronia regalis
This butterfly has the largest caterpillar, which also has a very frightening appearance, because its entire body is covered with spikes and a pair of orange horns on its head.
Despite the large size, and they grow up to 12 cm, and the appearance, the caterpillar is harmless. Its Latin name "horned devil hickory" received precisely because of its frightening appearance.
It develops all summer, and by the end of August a beautiful butterfly hatches from a cocoon, which does not eat throughout its life. Although in our usual understanding, a butterfly with this name should eat everything.
Finally
In the photo: Royal Nut Moth (Citheronia regalis)
So we presented a photo and description of the largest caterpillars that live on our planet.
Most people on the planet have a natural aversion to caterpillars. It is understandable, they do not look too favorable, and some are dangerous, causing allergic reactions, or severe burns when touched. But the interpreters of dreams, answering the question of why the big caterpillar is dreaming, say that this is a big crop.
Article author: Valery Skiba