Lux-Mil is now 3/4 of an inch long!! Growing fast and chowing down.
Caterpillars increase their body growth by as much as 1,000 percent or more during their life cycle.
The caterpillar stage of butterflies is all about growth. Within the span of a few days or weeks, the caterpillar will grow TONS. Because its skin (called a cuticle) is only so pliable, the caterpillar will molt multiple times as it gains size. The stage between molts is called an instar, and most caterpillars go through 5 instars before pupating. No wonder Lux-Mil is consuming so much food! Will soon start eating me out of house & home.
Caterpillars have 6 legs, just as adult butterflies do. Now hold on, wait a minuet! There are way more than 6 legs on the caterpillars you've seen, right!? Most of those legs are false legs, called prolegs, which help the caterpillar hold onto plant surfaces and allow it to climb from place to place. The 3 pairs of legs (6 legs total) on the caterpillar's thorax area are the true legs. The legs closest to the mouth. It will retain its true legs into adulthood. The prolegs are absorbed into the body. A caterpillar will have 5 pairs of prolegs on its abdominal segments, usually including a pair on its hind end. In the picture above, that is a closeup of Lux-Mils prolegs.
Lux-Mil is growing fast, and chowing down. the plants need to grow a little faster now, it will soon be eating me out of house and home. LOL✌🏼🦋💝💝
