Q&A for How to Care for a Caterpillar

Most caterpillars are safe to handle but some can be dangerous to hold because they may trigger allergic reactions/anaphylactic shock or rashes, or they may sting or eject/ooze spiky hairs or even poisons. It is important to identify the caterpillar before attempting to touch or hold it; some, such as the puss caterpillar, hickory tussock or saddleback caterpillars can hurt you or make you very ill. Use a caterpillar guide or online images if you are not sure what the caterpillar is before handling it.

Once milkweed has been treated with pesticide, it becomes toxic to insects, including the Monarch caterpillars that use it as a food source. The pesticide needs time to dissipate, usually months, during which time the plant either needs to be covered with netting or similar, or if in a pot, moved indoors so that Monarch butterflies will not try to lay their eggs on it. Remove caterpillars already on it and place them on safe foliage; they may or may not survive but at least you're given them a chance.

Like many living creatures, water is an essential part of a caterpillar’s diet. However the caterpillar gets its water from what it eats rather than drinking it from a pool or container of water. If you think a caterpillar you’re keeping looks a little dehydrated, spray the leaves with water before adding them; the droplets left on the leaves will be sufficient for the caterpillar. Always give the caterpillars quality foliage to eat; there is no need to add a small container of water to the caterpillar enclosure (in fact it might harm the caterpillar if it falls into the water).

In a nutshell, provide the caterpillar with suitable housing (add some bark or paper on the base and some sticks), edible foliage and regularly add moisture by misting the housing. Feed regularly and handle with care (if it’s safe to handle). Release the butterfly or moth that emerges after pupation. For more details, it’s suggested that you read through the article above.

It depends on how small your jar is, as a caterpillar needs space to move and climb. A suitable size for a jar is one-gallon; or a small fish tank will work nicely. Always ensure the jar or other container is clean and dried before adding the caterpillar.

The best thing is to remove the dead caterpillar to avoid its decomposition turning into a source of disease for the remaining caterpillars. Since you don't know what caused its death, it may be a good idea to transfer the remaining live caterpillars to a temporary space, then clean the housing thoroughly (including replacing sticks, food foliage, etc. with fresh ones), then returning the healthy ones back to their cleaned container. Dispose of the dead one by adding to your compost heap or burying in the garden (or flush it if you have no garden/compost).

Try to find the caterpillar’s host plant, as it needs plenty of leaves from this plant. If you don’t know what its host plant is, try a variety of different plants until it eats. Think about where you found the caterpillar; the plant it was on may be an indication of what it was eating. Be aware that the caterpillar can die of starvation if you don't find its host plant or it eats something that isn't right for it.

Yes you should definitely give them leaves, for comfort, and also to eat. Use the leaves from the plant you got it from. For fruit, it depends on what kind of caterpillar it is. It might not eat fruit, and if it doesn't eat fruit it may poison the caterpillar. Try to find out what kind it is and what it eats.

All caught animals require air holes in a container, so yes, a caterpillar needs air holes in whatever you're keeping it in.

It depends on what kind of caterpillar it is. Usually It takes 2 weeks until the caterpillar makes its chrysalis and about 1 1/2 weeks until it comes out a butterfly.

Yes, because they could eat your caterpillar or take it away. Remove the ants, and make sure no more ants get in.

Some can but often you may need to intervene and to chop up the stem into smaller edible pieces. However, you need to check dependent on the plant species and the relevant caterpillar. This is usually only done when the caterpillar population has decimated the leaves, such as monarch caterpillars finishing off the milkweed plant. In such a case, looking for alternatives such as organic pumpkin or cucumber may be better than the stem.

Put it into a jar with air holes in a room. Place it in a warm, shady area such as next to a window that does not face the sun.

Unless the butterfly has a place to live, feed and reproduce in an environment conducive to its needs, it will die. Release it quickly after emergence, without touching the wings.

If it's a caterpillar, you can let it out until it wants to come back in the jar. If it's a butterfly, take the jar outside to the original spot you found the caterpillar in and then let it go.

You probably shouldn't, as it could get stepped on, vacuumed up, or eaten by a pet, or it might get lost and die of starvation - any number of things could happen. It best to keep it in a container.

Caterpillars can be outdoors or indoors, as long as the temperature is not too cold. Anywhere the temperature is around 70-100 degrees should be fine and your caterpillars should flourish.

It sounds like a Fireworm. Don't let that guy get a hold of your finger. They say it's one of the world's most painful bites. However, a lot of hot sauce companies utilize the enzymes in their saliva to give their sauces that extra kick.

Monarch butterflies usually eat milk weed. The caterpillars survive on this plant.

Caterpillars don't need water, all the nutrients needed come from the host plants, remember to keep the plants fresh.

If you're talking about giving your caterpillar food meant for humans, don't do this.

You have a Spicebush caterpillar. That face you see is a defense mechanism from predators.

You can look up the characteristics of the caterpillar, or you can collect and see how it behaves.

That could be a cabbage looper, which usually eat vegetables like cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower.

Yes, it should. If it's a moth, it is especially important to have soil - but put soil in it even if it is a butterfly.

Keep trying different types of plants until it eats. Once it is successfully raised into a butterfly or moth, try looking it up again.

No, it shouldn't die at room temperature.

It means it is ready to cocoon and become a moth.

It's okay, caterpillars often do this because they like to sleep and rest during the day and eat at night. Just watch him for a while. He will probably be okay.

It sounds like it's an inchworm. If it moves around by almost bending itself in half, then it's definitely an inchworm.