One can always get mesmerized by the beauty of butterflies. They are fragile, beautiful, and fluttery, both as a moth and a butterfly.
There are a lot of different caterpillars ranging based on color, markings, shape, and armor, and they can be equally beautiful. All caterpillars have some life cycle; they start from an egg and turn into a butterfly or a moth.
Caterpillars usually have only one stage, which is known as the larval stage, and their main purpose is to grow and eat. During their lifespan, caterpillars shed their skin numerous times, and their appearance also changes.
Therefore, if you are wondering what caterpillars turn into butterflies, then stick to the end with a proper caterpillar identification chart.
Different Types of Caterpillars that Turn Into Butterflies
It is obvious to get mesmerized by the beauty of butterflies, and one might want to know in detail about them. However, there are different types of butterflies, and we will tell you about them in detail. Still, you can also learn about the same by understanding caterpillar identification charts.
1. Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly
When one first looks at them, it can be mesmerizing to see these little green creatures. They resemble tree frogs or small snakes. They don’t have real eyes, but they look nothing less than a real one with those black pupils popping out. You will always be their beauty and love them.
They usually keep them hidden in the folded leaves when the sun is up and then go out during the evening to eat. The foliage of choice of these butterflies is sassafras, red bat, and spicebush. Growing up, they looked like black butterflies with blue patches on their wings.
2. Hickory Horned Devil Caterpillar
One can get intimidated and scared by the look of this caterpillar, but they are of no harm and look likewise. They are one of the largest caterpillars in North America and grow five inches max. They are unique due to their growing capacity in general. They have a beautiful turquoise green body with black spikes and orange horns.
They usually eat on leaves like ash, hickory, sycamore, persimmon, and walnut trees, and then they burrow a few inches into the ground. In the summertime, they come to look like beautiful grey, orange, and cream regal-colored moths with 6 inches of wings.
3. Monarch Butterfly Caterpillar
During the early spring season, female monarchs start laying eggs on plants like milkweed. Once the eggs are hatched, they turn into caterpillars of orange, white, and black color. During the hatching process, they also consume certain toxins that are not poisonous for them but enemies.
Once they get rid of the food fest, they attach their bodies to stems or leaves. Later, they turn into eye-catching black and white, orange butterflies. They are usually found in areas like Central, North, and South Australia. One can also find them in other regions as well.
4. Puss Caterpillar
These are some of the cutest ones to own. You can also be mistaken by their beauty as they are very addictive. However, they are one of the most poisonous ones in the USA. Their bodies have hidden spikes that get stuck to the skin. Their one touch can give you headaches, swelling, nausea, and fever.
It is also said that the bigger the caterpillar, the bigger the pain. When they grow up, they become Southern Flannel Moths. These moths are usually yellow, cream, and orange, with soft fur on legs, wings, and bodies. They usually eat on either trees or cocoons for a long enough time.
5. Zebra Longwing Butterfly Caterpillar
This particular caterpillar might look a little ugly, but they are generally very beautiful. These caterpillars usually feed on the leaves of passion flowers. They don’t consume them only for food but also to protect themselves from predators. Passionflower tastes bitter, and when caterpillars feed on them, they also taste bitter. Due to this, predators mostly stay away from them.
These caterpillars have creamy white bodies with black spines all over the body. You can find them easily in regions like Central America, Florida, Mexico, and Texas. When these caterpillars grow up, they turn into long-winged yellow and black butterflies and look nothing but absolutely stunning.
Conclusion
Butterflies are beautiful creatures that most of us love to adore. We have seen nobody not adoring their beauty.
They are small little creatures that are colorful, beautiful, and fragile. A beautiful flower field will always have some beautiful butterflies around it.
Hence, it is always mesmerizing to learn more and more about them.
Caterpillars are the initial phase during the life cycle of butterflies. They start first with the eggs, hatch later, and the caterpillars are out.
Caterpillars, during their lifecycle, also shed their skin and, lastly, convert into butterflies.
However, after reading this article, you might have understood that not all caterpillars turn into butterflies; some also turn into moths.
