Do Caterpillars have sex?

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Stella Crossley

(updated 4 September 2002)

No. Caterpillars are the immature forms of their species, like children. Only the adult moths and butterflies can have sex. However, the developing sexual organs may be seen through the transparent skin of some Caterpillar species, typically as a pair of yellow organs, one each side of the dark dorsal heart line :

male
female
Caterpillars of Cephrenes augiades

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Frequently Asked Questions about Caterpillars

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