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You are here: Experts > Science > Insects/Spiders > Entomology (Study of Bugs) > caterpillers
Expert: Sue Kayton
Date: 5/10/2008
Subject: caterpillers
Question
My son just found a caterpillar and wants to keep it. What does it eat and how long do they last in the caterpillar stage before making a cocoon?
thanks
Answer
Please put the caterpillar back on the plant where you found it. Caterpillars eat only the leaves of one particular kind of plant. Each caterpillar has its own plant. If you pick the leaves and bring them inside, they will dry out and the caterpillar won't eat leaves that aren't fresh. If you keep it inside without fresh leaves, or don't feed it constantly, the caterpillar will die. You can watch it on the plant.
Different caterpillars take different amounts of time to grow big enough to make a cocoon or chrysalis. They are tiny and almost invisible when they hatch. By the time they are large enough for you to notice, they are probably almost ready to make their cocoon.
If you send a photo of the caterpillar, identify your geographic location, and tell me what kind of plant it is eating, then I can probably identify the caterpillar for you.
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