Caterpillar - Caterpillar

A common name for the larvae of Lepidoptera insects such as butterflies and moths that are green and lack long hairs on the surface of their bodies. Therefore, it does not refer to a specific species. The ones that usually catch people's attention are the larvae of cabbage white butterflies and striped white butterflies that infest cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage and radish. Even among green larvae, large ones such as hawk moths are not called caterpillars.

[Takashi Shiramizu]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

チョウやガなどの鱗翅(りんし)目の昆虫の幼虫のうち、体表に長い毛がなくて緑色をしたものの俗称。したがって、特定の種をさす名称ではない。普通に人目につくのは、キャベツやダイコンなどのアブラナ科の野菜につくモンシロチョウやスジグロシロチョウなどの幼虫が多い。緑色の幼虫でも、スズメガなど大形のものはアオムシとはよばない。

［白水　隆］

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