What Do Caterpillars Eat?
The question What do caterpillars eat is often asked by those who have caterpillars as pets and want to treat their little friends with something delicious and then see them turn into wonderful butterflies. Caterpillars eat much and, just like us, have their favorite dishes. But they don’t waste time in supermarkets or wait for pizza delivery, and yet enjoy their favorite food unlimitedly. Caterpillars eat the place they live at - plant leaves, that’s really convenient:). These plants are called host plants. So if you want to know what your caterpillar eats simply ask it where it lives. And if you are not quite familiar with caterpillar language you can find the information on what different caterpillars eat on What Do Caterpillars Eat website.
The particular type of food depends on the variety of the caterpillar you have got. Many caterpillars eat plant leaves, some may eat grass, bark or even other insects. Caterpillars are very picky about food: they eat only their host plants. Some caterpillars prefer other types of food to plant leaves. If you want to learn what different caterpillars eat, raise a healthy caterpillar and see the birth of a beautiful butterfly, the
Caterpillars in the Field and Garden; A Field Guide to the Butterfly Caterpillars of North America
will help you. It has all the information you need to find and identify caterpillars, distinguish between young and grown up caterpillars, between butterfly and moth caterpillars and much more.
A special section dedicated to butterfly gardening includes valuable information on how to build up a butterfly garden and raise healthy butterfly caterpillars. A complete list of host plants for different caterpillars and butterflies, over 900 full-color photographs.
If you don’t find your caterpillar on this site, you may try to find out what it prefers by bringing in and offering it fresh leaves from the area or garden where you found it. Pick one leaf from each shrub or tree, also get some grass and flower petals. If you found your little caterpillar on a leaf of a certain plant and especially if the leaf was eaten off, it is the most likely to be its favorite food.
Don’t forget that caterpillars not just eat but also drink, so keep the leaves fresh and slightly moistured (but not too wet!). Also, give it enough fresh air. Pet caterpillars need love and care as any other pets. Be tender and patient with your caterpillar and one day it will reward you by turning into a beautiful butterfly or a moth!