Ulat

Ulat is a term used in Indonesian and Malay to denote the larval stage of insects. It most commonly refers to caterpillars, the larvae of butterflies and moths, but in everyday usage it can apply to other worm-like larvae as well. The word derives from the Malay-Indonesian language family and serves as a general label for larval forms in common speech.

Biologically, a ulat is the immature form that hatches from an egg and grows before becoming a pupa and then an adult insect. Most ulat feed on plant material such as leaves or fruit, though some larvae occur in other ecological niches, including decaying matter or detritus. The larval stage is typically the main period of growth and feeding for many insect species.

Economic and ecological significance is prominent. Silk production relies on the ulat sutra, the larva of the silkworm (Bombyx mori). In agriculture, many leaf-eating ulat are considered pests because they defoliate crops, prompting pest-management efforts. Some larvae are also raised for food or used as bait in various cultures.

In language and culture, ulat appears in phrases and everyday references. For example, ulat buku refers to a bookworm—someone who devours books. The term thus covers scientific, agricultural, and cultural dimensions of larval insects in Indonesian and Malay contexts.