caterpillar
a caterpillar
a small, long, many legged, worm-like creature that becomes a butterfly or moth at a later stage (the larva stage of a butterfly or moth); grows to 1 mm to 3 inches in body length; found in different shapes and colours wherever there are butterflies and moths
Caterpillars are pests. Their only activity at this stage is to eat and eat. They can eat away crops (= leaves of the plants) of vast areas in a short period of time. Some caterpillars have become resistant to the pesticides (= chemicals used to kill them). Their bright colours are a warning to their predators (animals, including birds, which eat them) that they are not good for eating or they have chemicals that harm them! Many caterpillars have hair-like poisonous spines on their bodies. It is very interesting to know that a caterpillar has 4,000 muscles in its 1 mm to 3 inch soft body (a person has only 629 muscles in his 5-6 foot long body)!
1. caterpillar = (a) an endless belt of metal plates fastened over cogged wheels of any heavy vehicle (b ) name taken up by several mining and constructions machine makers 2. (a) caterpillar or caterpillar tractor = a tractor with continuous metal roller belt over cogged wheels on each side of it, in place of tyres on wheels, for moving over rough or muddy ground (b) Caterpillar Inc., also known as ‘CAT’, is a manufacturer of heavy machinery — bulldozers, engines and other machines used in construction field BC Kumar, an English Language Teacher, taught in numerous countries including Ethiopia, Oman and India, shares his knowledge and passion for the English Language.
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a brightly coloured caterpillar
a caterpillar machine
About the Author:BC Kumar
