The Badge Archive

Quick Caterpillar Facts

Fulfills Step 1 of GSUSA Bugs badge requirements.

Info Needed for Badge Requirements – See Below

Items Needed:

  • Pen or pencil for each scout or small group.
  • Printed Caterpillar diagram with blank labels for each scout or small group.
  • (Optional) Short bug fact sheet
  • (Optional) Troop Coloring supplies (crayons, markers, or colored pencils)

Instructions (Total Time: 6–11 Minutes):

  1. Quick Caterpillar Facts (2–3 minutes)
    • Leader shares a few simple facts (see below)
  2. Label the Diagram (4–5 minutes)
    • Scouts label parts on the caterpillar diagram. Scouts can work individually or in small groups with help as needed.
  3. (Optional) Add Color and a Fun Fact (2–3 minutes)
    • Scouts color their caterpillar and write one fun fact they learned.

Info Required for Requirement 1 – Caterpillars

Where Caterpillars Live
Caterpillars live in gardens, forests, meadows, and even deserts. They stay near plants they like to eat.

How Long Caterpillars Live
Most caterpillars live for 2–4 weeks before turning into a butterfly or moth. Some special types live longer.

What Caterpillars Eat
Caterpillars eat leaves, flowers, and sometimes fruit. Each kind likes different plants—like monarchs love milkweed!

What’s Good About Caterpillars

  • Helps control plant growth by eating leaves
  • Feeds birds and other animals
  • Turns into a butterfly or moth
  • Adds beauty and balance to nature

What’s Not So Good About Caterpillars

  • Some eat too many leaves and damage plants
  • A few types are pests in gardens or farms
  • Some have tiny hairs that can irritate skin

Who Their Enemies Are
Birds, spiders, wasps, beetles, frogs, and even other insects

Main Parts of a Caterpillar

  • Head – Where the eyes, mouth, and antennae are
  • Eyes – Tiny spots that help the caterpillar see light and movement
  • Mouth – Used for chewing leaves
  • Thorax – The middle part of the body with 3 pairs of legs
  • True Legs – The front 6 legs used for walking and gripping
  • Abdomen – The long back part of the body
  • Prolegs – Soft, stubby legs on the abdomen that help with crawling
  • Spiracles – Tiny holes along the sides used for breathing
  • Spinnerets – Silk-spinning parts near the mouth used to make threads
  • Antennae – Short feelers that help the caterpillar sense things
  • Horn – Dorsal projection to help camouflage or frighten predators.

Resources:

Tia Kennard