The Plants That Turn Caterpillars Into Cannibals

10.10.2023 - 04:05 / gardeningknowhow.com / Amy Grant

While cannibalism is rare among the human species, it is fairly common in the animal and insect kingdom. Until fairly recently accounts such as female praying mantis eating their mates was considered to be a one off, but newer scientific research shows evidence of caterpillar cannibalism.

Why do caterpillars eat each other? Likely it’s the same reason most human cannibalism has occurred: survival. In a roundabout way, cannibalistic caterpillars exist because of the survival instinct… but it isn’t because they lack food. Keep reading to learn about the fascinating life of a cannibal caterpillar.

Yes, it’s true. Caterpillars have indeed been observed feeding on each other But the question is… why? This behavior has been observed even when there is plenty of food around for the otherwise vegetarian caterpillars to feed on.

So what on earth could be going on here? The behavior has been seen in the order Lepidoptera, an insect family that includes butterflies and moths. Scientists have noted cannibalism in caterpillars on milkweed, the staple food plant for Monarch butterflies, and also on tomato plants.

Cannibalism in the animal and insect world usually exists because of a lack of food resources. The eater sees their familial prey as a perfect food source that will guarantee their survival, at least for a time, especially if the host plant has become unpalatable or inedible.

In the cases of cannibalism mentioned above, caterpillars that feed on milkweed or tomato plants have the same outcome but use two different methods. On milkweed, milkweed butterflies have been observed using their sharp “tarsal” claws to scratch the soft bodies of caterpillars, including those of their own species. In this case, cannibalism isn’t due to a