Caterpillars are usually considered a pest in gardens, but otherwise they are harmless creatures. However, on the island of Hawaii there are several species of one known as a fighter caterpillar. It comes equipped with sharp claws and strong jaws, making its meals out of insects flying or crawling within its reach. These caterpillars are only about an inch long and are camouflaged to look like a colored leaf or a twig, from which they reach out to catch their prey.
Examined closely, they resemble a miniature, spike-covered, golden fist with six fingers, each of which is equipped with a needle-like spear. They reach out so fast with these that if a person is not watching closely he will miss the action and wonder how that insect ever got into the caterpillar’s claw.
These well-armored creatures are the larvae of an unusual Hawaiian butterfly which lays eggs on leaves, two or three at a time, where they hatch out looking like little worms. These larvae go through some molting stages, finally spinning cocoons around their bodies and later emerging as pretty butterflies. It is before the cocoon is formed that this vicious way of life takes place.
While in the larval stage they are sometimes referred to as “earth measurers,” because of their looping way of moving about, like some other caterpillars do. To do this, with their hind legs they first firmly grasp the surface on which they lie, then stretch out full length before changing the grip from back to front. The back then moves forward in a horseshoe-like loop, gets another grip on the surface, and the process is repeated over and over. If an insect gets in the way, it is either devoured or knocked out of the way with the “looper’s” tough head.
At times, instead of going forward, one will move down to a lower spot by anchoring a spider-like thread, which it extrudes at the starting point, then dropping away, it extrudes as much thread as is needed to reach the desired spot. Then it resumes activity in a normal way.
We might wonder why the Creator made such awkward bits of life, but they have a definite place as part of His creation. Caterpillars are always mentioned in the Bible in connection with God’s judgment against evil. This is a solemn reminder that in a future day those who have not accepted the Lord Jesus as their Saviour will be brought into terrible judgment.
However, those who know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour will never face that judgment, because they have trusted the only One who could, and did, bear that judgment for them. His promise to these is eternal life in the splendors of heaven.
Which group are you in?
ML-12/25/2005