Definition of caterpillars. Meaning of caterpillars. Synonyms of caterpillars

Here you will find one or more explanations in English for the word caterpillars. Also in the bottom left of the page several parts of wikipedia pages related to the word caterpillars and, of course, caterpillars synonyms and on the right images related to the word caterpillars.

Definition of caterpillars

caterpillars
Larva Lar"va, n.; pl. L. Larv[ae], E. Larvas. [L. larva ghost, specter, mask.] 1. (Zo["o]l.) Any young insect from the time that it hatches from the egg until it becomes a pupa, or chrysalis. During this time it usually molts several times, and may change its form or color each time. The larv[ae] of many insects are much like the adults in form and habits, but have no trace of wings, the rudimentary wings appearing only in the pupa stage. In other groups of insects the larv[ae] are totally unlike the parents in structure and habits, and are called caterpillars, grubs, maggots, etc. 2. (Zo["o]l.) The early, immature form of any animal when more or less of a metamorphosis takes place, before the assumption of the mature shape.
Caterpillar
Caterpillar Cat"er*pil`lar, n. [OE. catyrpel, corrupted fr. OF. chatepelouse, or cate pelue, fr. chate, F. chatte, she-cat, fem. of chat, L. catus + L. pilosus hairy, or F. pelu hairy, fr. L. pilus hair. See Cat, and Pile hair.] 1. (Zo["o]l.) The larval state of a butterfly or any lepidopterous insect; sometimes, but less commonly, the larval state of other insects, as the sawflies, which are also called false caterpillars. The true caterpillars have three pairs of true legs, and several pairs of abdominal fleshy legs (prolegs) armed with hooks. Some are hairy, others naked. They usually feed on leaves, fruit, and succulent vegetables, being often very destructive, Many of them are popularly called worms, as the cutworm, cankerworm, army worm, cotton worm, silkworm. 2. (Bot.) A plant of the genus Scorpiurus, with pods resembling caterpillars. Caterpillar catcher, or Caterpillar eater (Zo["o]l.), a bird belonging to the family of Shrikes, which feeds on caterpillars. The name is also given to several other birds. Caterpillar hunter (Zo["o]l.), any species of beetles of the genus Callosoma and other allied genera of the family Carabid[ae] which feed habitually upon caterpillars.

Meaning of caterpillars from wikipedia

- Symphyta) are commonly called caterpillars as well. Both lepidopteran and symphytan larvae have eruciform body shapes. Caterpillars of most species eat plant...
- Caterpillar Inc., also known as Cat, is an American construction, mining and other engineering equipment manufacturer. The company is the world's largest...
- The eastern tent caterpillar (Malacosoma americanum) is a species of moth in the family Lasiocampidae, the tent caterpillars or lappet moths. It is univoltine...
- up caterpillar or caterpillars in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. A caterpillar is the larval form of some insects. Caterpillar, The Caterpillar or Caterpillars...
- The Caterpillar D7 is a medium track-type tractor manufactured by Caterpillar Inc. and most commonly used as a bulldozer. The D7 was first manufactured...
- Tent caterpillars are moderately sized caterpillars, or moth larvae, belonging to the genus Malacosoma in the family Lasiocampidae. Twenty-six species...
- Amphibious caterpillar refers to over 40 species of semiaquatic caterpillars endemic to Hawaii that are the only insect larvae that live as readily in...
- societies of caterpillars exhibit collective behaviors that vary from simple interactions to more complex forms of cooperation. Social caterpillars exhibit...
- The Caterpillar D9 is a large track-type tractor designed and manufactured by Caterpillar Inc. It is usually sold as a bulldozer equipped with a detachable...
- eggs on the food plant on which their larvae, known as caterpillars, will feed. The caterpillars grow, sometimes very rapidly, and when fully developed...