Caterpillar

The consumer. Used in the Old Testament (1 Kings 8:37; 2 Chr. 6:28; Ps. 78:46; Isa. 33:4) as the translation of a word (hasil) the root of which means “to devour” or “consume,” and which is used also with reference to the locust in Deut. 28:38. It may have been a species of locust, or the name of one of the transformations through which the locust passes, locust-grub. It is also found (Ps. 105:34; Jer. 51:14, 27; R.V., “cankerworm”) as the rendering of a different Hebrew word, yelek, a word elsewhere rendered “cankerworm” (q.v.), Joel 1:4; 2:25. (See LOCUST.)

The representative in the Authorized Version of the Hebrew word chasil and yelek .

CAT'ERPILLAR (the consumer), probably another word for locusts in their immature or wingless state, appearing in vast numbers and of most destructive voracity. 1 Kgs 8:37. Hence they were often employed as the agents in the execution of God's judgments, Ps 78:46 and Ps 105:34, and figuratively represent a great multitude. Isa 33:4; Jer 51:14, Gen 1:27. They were regarded as among the most desolating visitations of God's hand.

CAT'ERPILLAR (the consumer), probably another word for locusts in their immature or wingless state, appearing in vast numbers and of most destructive voracity. 1 Kgs 8:37. Hence they were often employed as the agents in the execution of God's judgments, Ps 78:46 and Ps 105:34, and figuratively represent a great multitude. Isa 33:4; Jer 51:14, Gen 1:27. They were regarded as among the most desolating visitations of God's hand.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. The larval state of a butterfly or any lepidopterous insect; sometimes, but less commonly, the larval state of other insects, as the sawflies, which are also called false caterpillars. The true caterpillars have three pairs of true legs, and several pairs of abdominal fleshy legs (prolegs) armed with hooks. Some are hairy, others naked. They usually feed on leaves, fruit, and succulent vegetables, being often very destructive, Many of them are popularly called worms, as the cutworm, cankerworm, army worm, cotton worm, silkworm.

2. A plant of the genus Scorpiurus, with pods resembling caterpillars. Caterpillar catcher, or Caterpillar eater (Zoöl.), a bird belonging to the family of Shrikes, which feeds on caterpillars. The name is also given to several other birds. -- Caterpillar hunter (Zoöl.), any species of beetles of the genus Callosoma and other allied genera of the family Carabidæ which feed habitually upon caterpillars.