Skip to content
Labugen

Caterpillar on a Nasturtium Leaf in the Garden

A spotted caterpillar travels across the wide circular leaf of a flowering nasturtium plant in a vibrant summer garden.

A long spotted caterpillar crawling across the round leaf of a flowering nasturtium.
Caterpillar on a Nasturtium Leaf in the Garden
Print Download PNG

A4 format (landscape), black outlines on a white background · for home and classroom use

Advertisement

All coloring pages: Flower Meadow Coloring Pages

More from this category

Similar coloring pages: Flower Meadow Coloring Pages

Next step

What else can you print? Free, no account needed

A Caterpillar Crawling on Nasturtium Foliage

Nasturtiums are beloved garden flowers known for their unique saucer-shaped leaves and edible, peppery blossoms. Hungry caterpillars often make these leafy plants their home, munching on foliage as they prepare for metamorphosis. Watching these small larvae navigate round green stems offers a fascinating glimpse into backyard garden ecosystems.

Curiosities About Nasturtiums and Insects

Nasturtium leaves possess a water-repellent surface that causes raindrops to bead up and roll off, taking dirt with them. Gardeners often plant nasturtiums near vegetable patches because they attract white butterfly caterpillars away from crops like cabbage. The sharp, mustard-like taste of nasturtium foliage comes from natural defense oils meant to deter pests.

Natural Colors of the Caterpillar and Nasturtium

  • Caterpillar body: lime green or yellow with black spots
  • Caterpillar stripes: soft yellow or white lateral bands
  • Nasturtium leaf: bright disc green with pale radial veins
  • Nasturtium flower: vibrant orange, yellow, or deep red
  • Nasturtium stem: translucent pale green
Questions and answers

Questions and Answers

How does a caterpillar transform into a butterfly or moth?
After growing full-sized, the caterpillar spins a protective cocoon or forms a hard chrysalis, inside which its body completely reorganizes into an adult insect.
Why are nasturtium leaves shaped like round shields?
Their peltate leaf shape features a central stem attachment, maximizing leaf surface area to absorb sunlight efficiently while channeling rainwater.
How many legs does a caterpillar actually have?
A caterpillar has six true jointed legs near its head and up to ten fleshy false legs called prolegs along its body to help it grip leaves.
Advertisement