The Life of Animals | Caterpillar | Many animals feed on caterpillars as They are rich in protein. As a result caterpillars have evolved Various means of defense. Some types of caterpillars are indeed poisonous, and are capable of shooting acid Some caterpillars have long "whip-like" organs attached to the ends of Their body. The caterpillar wiggles these organs to frighten away flies. Caterpillars have evolved defenses against physical conditions Such as cold, hot or dry environmental conditions. Some Arctic species like the basking Gynaephora groenlandica have special Behaviours and aggregation apart from physiological adaptations to Remain in a dormant state
Caterpillars have been called "eating machines", and eat leaves voraciously. An adaptation That enables Them to eat so much is a mechanism in a specialized midgut That Quickly Transports ions to the lumen (midgut cavity), to keep the potassium level higher in the midgut cavity than in the blood Most caterpillars are solely herbivorous. Most predatory caterpillars feed on eggs of other Insects, Aphids, Scale Insects, or ant larvae. Some are cannibals, and others prey on caterpillars of other species (eg Hawai'ian Eupithecia). Some Hawai'ian caterpillars (Hyposmocoma molluscivora) use silk traps to capture snails. Many caterpillars are nocturnal. Caterpillar hair can be a cause of human health problems. Sometimes Caterpillar hairs have venoms in Them and species from approximately 12 families of moths or butterflies worldwide can inflict serious human injuries ranging from urticarial dermatitis and atopic asthma to osteochondritis, consumption coagulopathy, renal failure, and intracerebral hemorrhage. Caterpillar hairs have also been known to cause kerato-conjunctivitis. This accumulation increases the risk of human contact in indoor environments
