caterpillar
Let an agent handle caterpillars by species, host plant, stage and impact, including silkworms, crop pests and stinging species.
Research draft, second pass
A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.
written by Claude from model knowledge without web access - no source was read, every claim is a lead to verify
Researched by: Claude
Purpose and description
Let an agent handle caterpillars by species, host plant, stage and impact, including silkworms, crop pests and stinging species.
The larval stage of butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera), a soft-bodied, segmented feeder that grows through moults before pupating.
What it is for: Caterpillars are organisms; people farm some for silk and food, protect others and control pests.
It can be identify it, to species; rear it, as with silkworms; control it, where it damages crops; avoid touching stinging species.
Distinguishing features
A larval stage, not a separate animal
Feeds heavily and grows through moults
Many are specialist herbivores
Some have urticating hairs that cause rashes
What it looks like
A long segmented larva with a head, three pairs of true legs and fleshy prolegs; many are camouflaged, brightly warning-coloured or hairy.
Physical character
length: 1-150 mm
number of instars: 4-7 moults - typical
How it is recognised
Segmented body with true legs and prolegs
Colour and hair patterns suggest species
Sawfly larvae look similar but have more prolegs
Related models
is a stage of - Lepidoptera
is a kind of - larval insect
feeds on - host plants
produces - silkworms
In practice
Families and kinds
silkworms and wild silkworms
crop pests such as cutworms
stinging and hairy caterpillars such as tussock moths
edible caterpillars
Identifiers
scientific name binomial of the species species identity
Standards and regulation
Plant health rules on regulated pests
Pesticide rules
Novel food rules for edible insects
Failure modes and hazards
Skin and eye reactions from urticating hairs
Crop and forest damage
Allergic reactions
Also called
Where this came from
wikidata · CC0 1.0
Also registered as vr.tr.caterpillar
Drafted structure
Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions.
Identification Which caterpillar.
Species identity decides impact and safety.
Species
Name and adult.
Species
Species and adult form.
- Which species is this caterpillar, and what does the adult look like? definition
- How was it identified? provenance
Stage
Instar.
Instar
Development stage.
- Which instar is it? measurement
- When will it pupate? measurement
Ecology Host plants and role.
Host plants explain where caterpillars occur.
Host plants
What it eats.
Host plants
Host plants.
- Which plants does it feed on? definition
- Is it a specialist or generalist? definition
Role
Pest, pollinator stage, prey.
Role
Ecological role.
- Is it a pest here? boundary
- Is the species protected? boundary
Safety Stinging hairs.
Some caterpillars cause painful reactions.
Hazard
Urticating hairs and spines.
Hazard
Whether it stings.
- Does this species have urticating hairs or spines? boundary
- Are nests a public health issue? boundary
First aid
After contact.
First aid
What to do after contact.
- What should someone do after touching it? action
- When is medical help needed? action
Use and control Silk, food, pest control.
People farm some caterpillars and control others.
Use
Silk and food.
Use
Human uses.
- Is it farmed for silk or food? definition
- Which rules apply? provenance
Control
Integrated pest management.
Control
Control methods.
- Which control methods are appropriate? action
- How can non-target species be protected? action
What the second pass must settle
- Should caterpillars be linked to their adult species entries?
- How should pest status be recorded by region?
- How should agents advise on stinging species safely?