The larval stage of a butterfly or moth is called the:

The larval stage of a butterfly or moth is called the:

• A. Caterpillar
• B. Chrysalis
• C. Pupa
• D. Egg

Answer: (A)

In the life cycle of butterflies and moths, after the egg hatches the next stage is the larval stage, which is devoted to feeding and growing. That stage is called a caterpillar. It’s the form with a segmented body and many legs that eats leaves to store energy for metamorphosis. After the caterpillar enlarges, it enters the pupal stage, during which transformation occurs; in butterflies this pupal stage is commonly called a chrysalis, while moths may form a cocoon around the pupa. The egg is the initial stage. So the larval form you’re identifying is the caterpillar.

In the life cycle of butterflies and moths, after the egg hatches the next stage is the larval stage, which is devoted to feeding and growing. That stage is called a caterpillar. It’s the form with a segmented body and many legs that eats leaves to store energy for metamorphosis. After the caterpillar enlarges, it enters the pupal stage, during which transformation occurs; in butterflies this pupal stage is commonly called a chrysalis, while moths may form a cocoon around the pupa. The egg is the initial stage. So the larval form you’re identifying is the caterpillar.