Caterpillars primarily eat plants, with most species feeding on leaves, which are the most abundant and accessible part of plants

. Some caterpillars also consume other plant parts such as flower petals, buds, seeds, stems, fruits, roots, pollen, and even dead leaves

. For example, the Star-wort caterpillar eats flowers and developing seeds, and the Wax Moth caterpillar feeds on honeycomb inside beehives

. While the vast majority of caterpillars are herbivores, a few species are carnivorous or omnivorous. Some caterpillars eat other insects, including other caterpillars, and certain species like the Harvester butterfly caterpillar feed exclusively on woolly aphids

. Carnivorous caterpillars can also consume scale insects, leafhoppers, cicadas, ants and their brood, spider eggs, and dead insects

. In summary, caterpillar diets vary widely but are mostly plant-based, focusing on leaves and sometimes flowers or other plant parts, with a small number of species feeding on other insects or animal matter