lagarta

Lagarta is the common name in Portuguese for the larval stage of Lepidoptera, the insects that include butterflies and moths. A lagarta, or caterpillar, is the form that hatches from an egg laid by an adult butterfly or moth. There is no single species known as a lagarta; instead, many different species have caterpillar stages that are referred to by this term. The larval period typically lasts weeks to months, after which the insect enters a pupal stage and later emerges as an adult.

Lagartas are primarily herbivores. They feed on leaves, stems, fruits, and sometimes flowers, with some species specializing on particular plant groups and others feeding on a wide range of plants. They play ecological roles as herbivores and, as prey, support populations of birds, wasps, and other predators and parasitoids. Many lagartas have defense adaptations such as spines or irritating hairs, camouflage coloration, or chemical deterrents.

In agriculture, lagartas are among the most important pest insects. They can cause defoliation, yield losses, and crop damage in crops such as maize, cotton, soybeans, fruit trees, and vegetables. Management typically relies on monitoring and integrated pest management, including biological controls (such as certain bacteria and natural enemies), pheromone traps, crop rotation, and, when necessary, targeted pesticide applications.

Notable pest species encountered worldwide include the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) and the cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera). Lagartas are diverse and occupy a wide range of habitats across the globe.