[Fr.] The larval state of a butterfly or moth. True caterpillars have three pairs of true legs and several pairs of fleshy legs armed with hooks. They usually feed on leaves, fruit, and vegetables. Some are called worms - as silkworm, canker-worm, etc. After a time they surround themselves with a sheath or case of leaves, silk, or other substance, pass into the chrysalis state, and finally emerge as the mature insect. (See Butterfly.)

CATERPILLAR.