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basic caterpillar info

really basic lists of northeastern US caterpillar information

Geometrids- family Geometridae

  • also known as "loopers"
  • also known as inchworms
  • lack of prolegs in midsection results in distinctive "inching" motion
  • many twig mimics
  • many stand on back prolegs when disturbed
  • often smooth
  • many adult moths hold their wings flat

    • Papilionoidea- butterfly superfamily

  • Butterflies
  • Includes blues, coppers, hairstreaks, skippers, swallowtails, and some others as well
  • skippers are butterflies

    • Skippers- family Hesperiidae

  • the caterpillars with the funny heads
  • heads look large compared to body, often dark brown (body is often light green) and round
  • skippers are butterflies