The legs of caterpillars (usually 16 = 8 pairs) are not all the same:
The first 3 pairs (6 legs) are jointed and are their “true legs” that they will “retain” as adult insects.
The other “legs”, called prolegs, (usually 5 pairs = 10) are unjointed and are used primarily for grasping. They are not retained as the caterpillar goes through metamorphosis to an adult butterfly or moth.
The legs of caterpillars (usually 16 = 8 pairs) are not all the same:
The first 3 pairs (6 legs) are jointed and are their “true legs” that they will “retain” as adult insects.
The other “legs”, called prolegs, (usually 5 pairs = 10) are unjointed and are used primarily for grasping. They are not retained as the caterpillar goes through metamorphosis to an adult butterfly or moth.