How does a caterpillar differ from an adult butterfly?

Caterpillars and adult butterflies represent different life stages of the same insect, separated by the process of complete metamorphosis.1

The primary differences between the two stages include:

• Anatomy and Mouthparts: Caterpillars are larval stages characterized by cylindrical bodies with chewing mouthparts, such as mandibles, designed for consuming large amounts of plant material. In contrast, most adult butterflies have a tubular proboscis adapted for sucking liquids like nectar.234
• Locomotion and Appendages: Caterpillars possess three pairs of true legs on the thorax and several pairs of fleshy prolegs on the abdomen to grip surfaces. Adults are winged, having undergone a transformation during the pupa stage where larval structures break down and adult features, such as wings, appear.231
• Sensory Perception: Caterpillars have simple eyes called stemmata that only detect light. Adults possess large compound eyes and club-tipped antennae that are more specialized for navigation, finding mates, and locating food.234
• Purpose: The larval stage is dedicated to growth and feeding, while the adult stage is primarily focused on reproduction and dispersal.4