Body Parts of a Caterpillar

The caterpillar is a unique insect with an anatomy to match. The caterpillar has several types of legs, two body segment types, and unique sensory hairs and feelers that allow it to meet its basic needs.

Mouth

The caterpillar has a well-developed and strong mandible with sharp surfaces for cutting leaves and two maxillae that are responsible for guiding the pieces of food into the mouth.

Setae

The setae are sensory hairs along the entire body that allow for it to be more aware of its surroundings, acting similarly to the whiskers on a cat.

Legs

The caterpillar has three types of legs: Thoracic legs in the front on the thorax, abdominal prolegs in the second half of the body on the abdomen and anal prolegs in the back.

Spiracles

The caterpillar has spiracles along the length of its thorax and its abdomen that allow it to breathe.

Spinneret

The caterpillar's spinneret is a structure similar to a tube on the lower lip of the larva that allows it to spin the silk of a cocoon or web. The spinneret contains the caterpillar's spinning apparatus.

References

• Enchanted Learning