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Molting, Instars, and More |
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Caterpillar skin never grows as our skin does. A caterpillar has to crawl out of its skin, or molt, when its skin becomes too tight. This process is called molting. The time period between molting is called an instar. The caterpillar draws its head out of its head capsule before molting. Sometimes the caterpillar will use its front feet to help remove the head capsule from its head (last photo). Look for the photo which shows the head capsule laying in front of the caterpillar after it has molted. After molting, the caterpillar will allow time for its new skin to dry before turning around and eating its old skin. Actual size of caterpillars when they molt will vary according to the amount of food it has eaten during its life. If you need to pick up or move a caterpillar, watch first to see if it is moving its rear legs (back prolegs). The caterpillar lays a mat of silk and attaches its prolegs to the silk. After about a day, the caterpillar simply walks out of its skin. If the caterpillar is moved while it is attached to the silk and the silk breaks loose to the object to which it is attached, it will usually not be able to leave its old skin and will die. |