Here's a breakdown of what they eat:
* Specific plants: Most caterpillars are specialized feeders, meaning they only eat certain types of plants. Some examples:
* Monarch caterpillars only eat milkweed.
* Cabbage white caterpillars only eat cabbage, broccoli, and other cruciferous plants.
* Tomato hornworm caterpillars only eat tomato plants.
* Different parts of plants: Caterpillars can eat various parts of plants, including:
* Leaves: This is the most common food source for caterpillars.
* Flowers: Some caterpillars feed on flower petals or buds.
* Fruits: Caterpillars like the codling moth larva feed on apples.
* Stems: Certain caterpillars bore into stems, like the corn borer.
* Roots: Some caterpillars feed on the roots of plants.
Fun fact: The type of plant a caterpillar eats can actually determine its color! This is because the pigments from the plant are absorbed by the caterpillar and affect its appearance.