Caterpillars are not separate species, but they are larvae of butterflies and moths

Are caterpillars insects? The answer is yes, but they are an incomplete form of certain insects4. Caterpillars are the larval stage of 180,000 insects belonging to the order Lepidoptera, which includes butterflies and moths. Caterpillars develop to become their winged adult form.

Generally, caterpillars have a cylindrical body shape with a segmented structure. Each body segment typically bears a pair of legs. 

They live on every continent except Antarctica. Some countries known for their diverse caterpillar populations include the United States, Brazil, Australia, India, China, and African and European countries.