Madison

Are the effects Caterpillars have on rainforest more positive or negative?

Although insects such as butterflies and moths can be beneficial to the environment because of their capability to pollinate plants, in the larval stage of their life, caterpillars feed off of plants which in some ways can be extremely detrimental to the plants stages of photosynthesis. Some caterpillars such as “Cabbage Loopers” become moths, however, before that stage they are known for targeting cabbage plants by eating away at the foliage and stems which can defoliate plants in a short amount of time as shown in the picture. The defloration that caterpillars can cause to those plants can be extremely harmful to the environment as it prevents them from converting sunlight to energy which can cause the plants to die. Caterpillars have a more negative effect on the environment as they can stunt the process of some plants leading them to die off.

https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/insects-pests-and-problems/insects/caterpillars/caterpillars-surface-feeders#:~:text=Caterpillars%20inflict%20damage%20by%20eating,a%20short%20period%20of%20time.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/effects-of-defoliation.htm