It is incredible to see a caterpillar turn into a butterfly! This change is called metamorphosis, and it means the insect’s body completely changes how it looks and is built. But what is even more incredible is how it happens. Inside their cocoons, caterpillars turn into a liquid, but they keep some parts that will become things like wings and eyes. And even though they are reduced to a protein soup, some butterflies can remember things they learned when they were caterpillars.
Many caterpillars are just as impressive, or even more so, than the butterflies or moths they become. They are not just plain green; some are really beautiful. Their bright colors and shapes help keep them safe by warning predators that they are poisonous or tricking them into attacking the wrong part. Some hairy caterpillars can even cause an allergic reaction; it also helps them stay safe.
Keep scrolling to see some fantastic moth caterpillars.
Brahmin Moth
Nature is full of surprises, like this little Brahmin Moth caterpillar with its black and orange stripes and long spines. It is just hanging out on a branch.
Igor Siwanoicz captured the stunning details of a Brahmin Moth. Here, it is hanging upside down from a dried leaf with its black and white striped wings and orange and yellow spots.
Cecropia
This Cecropia caterpillar’s journey begins on a bed of green grass. Do you see the yellow and blue spots on it? It is carrying some ladybugs along for the ride.
Look how incredible the transformation journey from a tiny caterpillar to a beautiful Cecropia moth with brown and orange wings and distinctive eye-like patterns is.
Spicebush Swallowtail
Look at this little strong Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillar with its orange color, black spots, and blue stripe. The caterpillar is crawling along on a branch.
The tiny caterpillar transformed into a gorgeous butterfly with black and white wings.
Black Swallowtail
Meet our little friend, the Black Swallowtail caterpillar. It is just hanging out on a green stem. Do you see its awesome black and yellow stripes with white spots?
This is how the gorgeous Black Swallowtail butterfly looks with metallic green wings, black borders, and blue spots.
Polyura Sempronius
We have a Polyura Sempronius caterpillar crawling along a brown twig here. Don’t you love its yellow stripe and blue spikes?
Nature presents us with this Polyura Sempronius butterfly. It is resting on a green leaf with its black and yellow striped body and white and orange wing markings.
Acraga Coa
Check out this little guy! This Acraga Coa caterpillar is just hanging out on a green leaf with its white color, red spots, and small spikes.
Delicate but strong, this Acraga Coa moth rests on wood with its furry orange body and wings.
Acharia Stimulea
Look around, and you will be surprised by what you see, like this Acharia Stimulea caterpillar with its green and brown body and white and brown spines. It’s just chilling on wood.
The transformation from caterpillar to moth is complete for this Acharia Stimulea, with its brown body and wings, white border, and dark brown pattern.
Phobetron Pithecium
A Phobetron Pithecium caterpillar crawls along a green leaf. See how it displays its brown body with multiple legs and spikes.
This Phobetron Pithecium moth flaunts its intricate brown and black patterned wings and body.
Glasswinged Butterfly
This caterpillar rests on a bright green leaf. Look at its beautiful white body with orange and black spots.
Two Glass Winged Butterflies rest on a red and orange flower. They are showing off their black and white wings with orange stripes.
Cerura Vinula
A Cerura Vinula caterpillar rests on a brown branch. It is displaying its green body with black spots and a redhead with two black antennae.
A beautiful Cerura Vinula moth relaxes on a green leaf with its white wings, black spots, and furry body.
Flannel Moth
The journey from caterpillar to moth begins for this Flannel Moth. See its soft, pink, fluffy body resting on a bright green leaf.
The transformation from caterpillar to moth is complete for this Flannel Moth. Its body has yellow and white color and black and white stripes.
Blue Morpho
The camera captured a Blue Morpho caterpillar crawling on a bright green leaf. It is showing off its black and yellow body with red spikes and white hairs.
Blue Morpho butterfly takes flight. See how beautiful its blue wings with black spots are.
Isochaetes Beutenmuelleri
See how peaceful this Isochaetes Beutenmuelleri caterpillar rests on a brown leaf. It is showing off its green body with white hair and a spiky appearance.
This is a little Isochaetes Beutenmuelleri moth. It is just relaxing on a gray fabric with its furry brown body and wings with a pattern of dark and light brown patches.
Hubbard’s Small Silkmoth
Meet the Hubbard’s Small Silkmoth caterpillar. This vibrant green creature has white spots and red spikes, making its way along a branch.
This photo captures the elegance and beauty of Hubbard’s Small Silkmoth as it rests on a tree trunk with its dark gray wings spread wide and revealing red patches.
Isa Textula
You can easily recognize this caterpillar with its light green body and red stripe. It is got big dreams of one day becoming a beautiful butterfly. He is just hanging out on this twig, taking in the world around him.
Say hello to the Isa Textula moth. This little guy has come a long way from being a caterpillar. Now it is all grown up, with brown wings and a fuzzy body.
Pipevine Swallowtail
This little guy chills on a green leaf, showing off its black body, orange spots, and red horns.
Meet the Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly! This black beauty has come a long way from its caterpillar days. Now it is got wings with orange and blue spots, and it is just hanging out on this purple flower.
Spotted Apatelodes
Check out this cool Spotted Apatelodes caterpillar. Don’t you want to see more of its white body, black spots, and black spikes?
Now it is got wings with white spots and a dark brown pattern like a butterfly.
Io Moth
This little guy is just chilling on wood. It shows off its green body, red and white stripes, and spikes.
Now it has all grown up, with a red and brown body, yellow and black markings on its wings, and distinctive eye spots.
Attacus Atlas
The Attacus Atlas caterpillar got a white body, red spots, and a spiky appearance.
Meet the Attacus Atlas moth. This red and brown beauty has come far from its caterpillar days. Now it has wings with a yellow and black pattern, and it is so big that its wingspan is larger than this person's hand.
