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Butterflies in the garden put you in a good mood. Hard to believe that they were once an inconspicuous caterpillar. But not every butterfly caterpillar is inconspicuous, but can be very conspicuous thanks to its appearance.
In a nutshell
- Caterpillars are the larvae of butterflies or moths
- Differences can be recognized by a few important characteristics
- these relate in particular to the bodies of animals
- Most of the caterpillars belong to the moths
- many butterflies on the Red List of Threatened Species
identify caterpillar species
Butterfly caterpillars are divided into butterflies and moths, although there are also moths that fly during the day. In order to be able to assign the caterpillars to the respective butterflies, one should know some important characteristics.
A small selection of butterflies
Types from A - D
Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
Source: Harald Süpfle, Vanessa atalanta Raupe (HS), edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 2.5
- widespread moth
- Differences in caterpillars depending on the distribution area
- Basic color brown, black-brown, black or yellowish-grey
- cream-colored spots of different sizes on the flanks
- more or less contrasting
- some have no spots
Aurora Butterfly (Anthocharis cardamines)
- Caterpillars about 30 mm long
- Initially transparent orange-brown with a dark brown head
- After the first molt dark green-brownish colored
- Typical blue-green coloring after the third moult
- Fading to white on the sides of the body
- Aurora butterflies caterpillars are solitary animals
- Avoid the company of conspecifics
Tip: These caterpillars often sit upside down on their food plants. This leads to a lightening of the body shadow, which in turn serves to camouflage.
Blue Hairstreak (Favonius quercus)
- from the blue family
- Caterpillars up to 15 mm long
- Body broad and flat due to lateral longitudinal ridges
- fine short hair
- reddish-brown to ocher-brown color
- narrow, dark backline with large, backwards triangular patch
- brown head
Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
- Caterpillars about 40 mm long
- Basic color yellowish to greenish-brown
- slightly darker variable patterns of stripes and spots
- some caterpillars very light with a high proportion of white
- individual body segments clearly recognizable
- Ring of thorns with branching thorns on each segment
- Back and/or segment rings more intense yellow
- Spine base mostly reddish
Types of E - L
Large Cabbage White (Pieris brassicae)
Source: Bernd Kirchberg, Cabbage White caterpillars, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Appearance varies depending on stage of development
- young caterpillars, light basic color, brown head, no hairs
- increasingly darker with the fourth moult
- older specimens, yellowish ground colour, hairy
- black spots of different sizes arranged in rows
- head is black
Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus)
adult specimen
- stocky flattened body
- narrowing towards the back
- green with a faint greenish pattern
- fine yellowish side stripe
- Body length of about 13 mm
- with short bristles
Lesser Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
- Belongs to the noble moth family
- Caterpillars about 30 mm long
- Black with fine white spots
- Two yellow, broken lateral lines
- Purplish brown below the lateral lines
- Occasional reddish-brown markings between the lateral lines
- Black or yellowish spines on back and sides
Map (Araschnia levana)
- belongs to the noble moth family
- Caterpillars black, 22 mm long
- dark branching spines on each body segment
- ztwo characteristic spines on the head
- Body mottled with white
- broken, yellowish-white dorsal and lateral stripes
- occur exclusively on stinging nettles
Types of M - Z
Rusty Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus)
Source: Lucarelli, Ochlodes sylvanus, caterpillar, edited from Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Length of the caterpillars approx. 28 mm
- Unobtrusive light green colouring
- Slightly darker top line
- Dark brown head clearly distinguishes itself from the body
- Broad, lighter brownish lines on either side of the head
Swallowtail (Papilio machaon)
- one of the most beautiful European butterflies
- Caterpillars about 45 mm long and hairless
- initially black with orange-red spots and white saddle patch
- later green ground colour
- with black and red dotted horizontal stripes
- orange neck brace
- Overwinters as a gray or green belted pupa
Tip: With the help of the orange neck fork, the caterpillar exudes defense substances when threatened.
Peacock butterfly (Aglais io)
- Caterpillars black and 50-55 mm long
- white dots and black spines all over the body
- except for the head
- older caterpillars have dark red-brown spots on the flanks
- Legs are reddish brown
- feed exclusively on stinging nettles
- weave them with silk threads
Brimstone butterfly (Gonepteryx rhamni)
Source: Harald Süpfle, Gonepteryx rhamni - caterpillar 08 (HS), edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE
- Caterpillars slender with light side stripes
- dull green basic color
- weaker on the sides
- on both sides over the legs, low-lying, dull white longitudinal stripe
- regarding fodder plants, high bond to buckthorn and buckthorn
Moth
We have compiled the caterpillars of the most well-known moths below for you.
Types from A - E
Blood droplets (Zygaena filipendulae)
- Caterpillars greenish-yellow and about 22 mm long
- stocky build with fine hair
- Black spots arranged in rows on the upper side
- Spots of different sizes
- Bodies appear partially completely black
- black head capsule
Tip: The six red spots on each of the forewings give this moth its name.
Brown bear (Arctia caja)
- caterpillars up to 60 mm long
- Body of young animals rust-red, black-brown hairy (bear fur-like)
- with yellow longitudinal lines
- adult caterpillars are black with white warts
- rust-red hairs in front and on the sides
Tip: The bristles of the caterpillars can cause skin rashes and conjunctivitis in sensitive people.
Drake-tailed Rough-legged Moth (Clostera curtula)
Source: Harald Süpfle, Clostera curtula 01 (HS), edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE
- Caterpillars about 35 mm long
- relatively stocky body
- Basic color variable
- light yellowish, greenish or dark gray
- with yellowish to orange and black pattern
- Body white hairy and shiny greasy
- flat black horns on fourth and eleventh body segment
Types of G - O
Great Frost Moth (Erannis defoliaria)
- Body structure of the caterpillars long and narrow
- Body length approx. 32 mm
- yellow, red or black brown
- Wide yellow side stripes, black towards the top
- Belly sulfur yellow
- make cat humps when touched and for locomotion
Large snail moth (Apoda limacodes)
- Length of caterpillars about 15 mm
- Body shape of adult caterpillars isopod-shaped
- Basic color green with two yellow vertical stripes on the back
- Longitudinal stripes with small red spots
- Head can be tucked under body
- Belly legs are missing, but a crawling sole similar to the snails
- Locomotion only possible on hairless leaves
Source: PaulT, Apoda limacodes L, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
Jacobean bear (Tyria jacobaeae)
- 30 mm long caterpillars
- bright yellow ground colour, ringed with black
- few long white hairs
- typical black and yellow warning color of wasps
- serves to protect against predators
- the most important fodder plant is the Jacob's groundsel
- Hardly any caterpillars visible on it
Lesser peacock moth (Saturnia pavonia)
- Caterpillars about 60 mm long
- initially colored black
- later more or less green with black rings
- hairy warts on each segment
Tip: In case of danger, the caterpillars can release a sticky, strong-smelling secretion through these warts.
Types of P - Z
Poplar Hawkmoth (Laothoe populi)
- Caterpillars up to 70 mm long
- Horny appendage on abdomen
- Adult animals are green
- Laterally, raised yellowish-white dots and diagonal stripes
- Entire caterpillar very finely dotted with white
- Food plants of these caterpillars are poplars
Sloe brush moth (Orgyia antiqua)
- Basic coloring variable
- light grey-brown, white, light grey, dark gray and black
- Red warts all over the body
- two at the front end, one shaving brush-like back brush at the back
- Brushes can be yellowish, orange or brown
- or two yellow and two black
- four dense tufts of hair on the middle of the back
- yellow in males, brown in females
Lovely bear (Callimorpha dominula)
- Moth species that is also diurnal
- Caterpillars about 40 mm long
- striking coloring and bear-like hair
- dark gray coloring
- laterally, small white dots and broken yellow stripes
- gray and black hair
- Caterpillars live on low, herbaceous plants
Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar)
- 40-70 mm long before pupation
- grey, ash-grey or gray-yellow colored
- finely spotted, with red and blue warts
- fine long hair on the warts, some stinging hairs
- female caterpillars are larger than males
Tip: In the event of a mass infestation, the caterpillars of the gypsy moth can strip entire stands of trees.
Gooseberry moth (Abraxas grossulariata)
Source: jean pierre Hamon (14), Caterpillar Abraxas grossulariata 01, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Caterpillars 35-40 mm long
- creamy white with a black head
- slightly orange in the front part
- on the body a series of dots and conspicuous yellow stripes
- young caterpillars initially grey-green
- initially faint patterning, becoming more intense as it develops
- Head small and black
Pigeontail (Macroglossum stellatarum)
Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taubenschw%C3%A4nzchen#/media/File:Macroglossum.stellatarum.caterpillar.3088.Liosi.jpg.webp
- Adult caterpillars about 50 mm long
- Basic coloring varies between shades of green to brown
- Horn on last body segment
- Body dotted with small white dots with dark borders
- black breathing holes
- two lighter lines on the sides
frequently asked Questions
Does every caterpillar become a butterfly?A distinction is made between butterfly and after caterpillars. The so-called after caterpillars are insect larvae such as plant wasps or beak flies.
When are butterfly caterpillars found in nature?As a rule, the first can be seen from around April, because butterflies also overwinter as caterpillars.
Are there also caterpillars that require caution?Definitely with the oak processionary moth. Its very fine, poisonous stinging hairs trigger toxic reactions on skin contact.