They have three pairs of true legs and multiple prolegs

One interesting fact about caterpillars is that they have two types of legs: true legs and prolegs or false legs.

The true legs are the three pairs of jointed legs located on the Caterpillar's thoracic segments closest to its head. These legs are"true" because the Caterpillar retains them into adulthood when it transforms into a butterfly or moth. They use these legs to crawl and walk.

Additionally, on their abdomen, caterpillars possess several pairs of fleshy, unjointed prolegs adorned with tiny hooks called crochets. A caterpillar may have up to five pairs of prolegs, but the number can vary among species. These prolegs firmly grip surfaces as they move about while feeding or resting.

However, caterpillars shed these prolegs as they approach pupation, developing structures needed for metamorphosis into chrysalides or pupae during their transition to adult butterflies or moths.

Additionally, sometimes larvae from the Hymenoptera order - which includes ants, bees, and wasps - get mistaken for caterpillars. However, there are key differences. For example, sawfly larvae superficially resemble caterpillars but have unique features. They sport prolegs on each abdominal segment, unlike caterpillars. Caterpillars have hooks on their prolegs, a feature not found in sawfly larvae.