Caterpie

Caterpie,  a Bug-type Pokémon, known for its appearance as a small, green caterpillar with large round eyes is one of the initial Pokémon species that trainers encounter in their journey to become Pokémon Masters.

Caterpie Pokémon crawling on a forest leaf
National Pokedex No: 0010

Type:

Category: Worm Pokémon
Height: 0.3 m (1′00″)
Weight : 2.9 kg (6.4 lbs)
Gender: 87.5% ♂, 12.5 % ♀

Abilities/Hidden abilities:

Shield Dust/Run Away

Biology

Physical Characteristics

Caterpie, the iconic Bug-type Pokémon, is known for its distinctive physical characteristics.

 

Caterpie has a cylindrical body covered in a green exoskeleton with a segmented appearance. Its cream-colored underside complements the vibrant green hue. Caterpie sports two prominent antennae on its head. These antennae serve as sensory organs, helping it detect its surroundings.

 

Large, round eyes with a friendly expression dominate Caterpie’s face. These eyes contribute to its innocent and approachable demeanor. Caterpie possesses small mouthparts, which it uses for consuming leaves and other vegetation as its primary food source.

 

This Pokémon has six short, stubby legs, three on each side of its body. These legs facilitate its movement, allowing Caterpie to crawl and explore its environment.

 

Caterpie is adorned with distinctive red, teardrop-shaped spots along its body. These markings add a touch of color to its predominantly green exterior.

 

Caterpie undergoes metamorphosis as part of its evolution. It transforms into a chrysalis-like state before emerging as a more advanced form.

 

These physical characteristics collectively contribute to Caterpie’s charm and make it easily recognizable in the Pokémon world.

Behaviour

Caterpie, the Bug-type Pokémon, exhibits various behaviors that contribute to its survival and growth.

 

Caterpie sustains itself by voraciously consuming leaves and vegetation. Its strong jaws and mouthparts allow it to quickly devour foliage. Despite its small size and vibrant green coloration, Caterpie uses its surroundings for camouflage. It can blend into grass and foliage to avoid predators.

 

When threatened, Caterpie employs several defense mechanisms. It can release a noxious odor from its antennae to deter predators. Additionally, the fine hairs on its body can cause irritation.

 

Caterpie has silk glands that allow it to produce silk threads. While not as advanced as its evolved forms, Caterpie can use silk to create small webs or bind leaves together for shelter.

 

Caterpie communicates with others of its kind through simple sounds and body language. It may use its antennae to convey information or express emotions. As Caterpie grows, it undergoes molting, shedding its exoskeleton to accommodate its increasing size. This process is crucial for its development.

 

While generally solitary in its early stages, Caterpie may display social tendencies with others of its species. This behavior becomes more pronounced as it evolves.

 

Caterpie possesses an instinctive drive to evolve. It undergoes metamorphosis within a silk cocoon to transform into more advanced forms, such as Metapod and Butterfree.

Evolution

Caterpie undergoes a fascinating and well-documented evolutionary process in its journey of growth and transformation.

Caterpie Pokémon crawling on a forest leaf
Caterpie
(Unevolved)
Metapod Pokémon hanging from a tree branch in a forest
Metapod
(First Evolution)
Butterfree Pokémon with wings outstretched in a forest glade
Butterfree
(Second Evolution)

After reaching a certain stage of development at level 7, Caterpie evolves into Metapod. This phase is marked by a remarkable change in its physiology. Metapod retains some physical features of Caterpie but adopts a more rigid, chrysalis-like form. Metapod’s chrysalis serves as a protective casing during its metamorphosis. Inside the chrysalis, profound changes occur, leading to the development of the next evolutionary stage.

 

The final and most dramatic evolution occurs when Metapod transforms into Butterfree at level 10. This process involves the breaking open of the chrysalis, revealing the beautifully winged and fully grown Butterfree.

 

One of the most notable changes during evolution is the development and expansion of Butterfree’s wings. These wings enable it to take flight, showcasing the remarkable adaptation Caterpie undergoes in its evolution. As Butterfree emerges, it gains new abilities and characteristics not present in its earlier stages. This includes the acquisition of powerful wing-based attacks and the ability to navigate the skies.

 

While Caterpie and Metapod primarily focus on herbivorous feeding habits, Butterfree, with its evolved proboscis and increased mobility, becomes an omnivore. It can feed on nectar from flowers and participate in a broader range of ecological interactions.

 

Evolution into Butterfree signifies the attainment of reproductive maturity. Butterfree can participate in courtship rituals and contribute to the perpetuation of its species. The evolution from Caterpie to Butterfree completes a significant life cycle in the Pokémon world. This transformation represents both physical and behavioral adaptations that enhance the Pokémon’s chances of survival and reproduction.

 

Caterpie’s evolution into Butterfree is a captivating process that showcases the wonders of adaptation and biological change in the Pokémon universe.

Appearances

Anime Main Appearances

Ash’s Caterpie

 

Caterpie made its debut in “Ash Catches a Pokémon”, where Ash caught it in Viridian Forest. It was the first Pokémon caught by Ash in the Kanto region.

 

Caterpie evolved into Metapod in “Ash Catches a Pokémon” and later into Butterfree in “Bye Bye Butterfree” during a significant farewell episode.

 

Goh’s Caterpie

 

Goh caught Caterpie in “Working My Way Back to Mew!” during his journey to catch every Pokémon. Caterpie became one of Goh’s captured Pokémon.

 

Caterpie evolved into Metapod in “Championing a Research Battle!” as part of its natural evolutionary progression.

 

Other appearances include:

 

  • In “The Dunsparce Deception” Bucky owned a Caterpie which he used in a race against Dunsparce, but it lost due to its slow speed.
  • In “Caterpie’s Big Dilemma” Zander owned a Caterpie that grew giant after consuming enhanced Rare Candies from Dr. Gordon. It later evolved into a Mothra-sized Butterfree.
  • In “Butterfree and Me!” a Caterpie lived on Wayfarer Island. Ash befriended it and helped it evolve into Metapod and then into Butterfree, reminiscent of his own Caterpie.

Anime Minor Appearances

In “Bulbasaur and the Hidden Village” Melanie cared for a Caterpie, which appeared in a flashback in “Bulbasaur… the Ambassador!”. Additionally, a Caterpie was aboard the St. Anne in “Battle Aboard the St. Anne”.

 

Caterpie was also seen on Scissor Street in “Pokémon Fashion Flash” and appeared in a fantasy in “Dig Those Diglett!”. In “The Ultimate Test” an image of Caterpie was used in the exams, and Caterpie also appeared in “The Breeding Center Secret” and “Clefairy Tales”.

 

In “In the Pink” a pink Caterpie was a resident of Pinkan Island. Two Caterpie appeared in a flashback in “Wherefore Art Thou, Pokémon?” owned by Ralph and Emily respectively. A wild Caterpie was seen in “Pikachu’s Rescue Adventure”. In “Illusion Confusion!” a Caterpie was one of the illusions created by Haunter and Gengar. In “The Bug Stops Here” Misty chased away a Caterpie she found talking with Togepi.

 

A Caterpie was at Way Away Island’s Pokémon Center in “Carrying On!”. Additionally, Caterpie appeared in Jessie‘s fantasy in “Wings ‘N’ Things” and was a resident of a Pokémon-exclusive oasis in “Got Miltank?”.

 

Multiple Caterpie appered in ”Tracey Gets Bugged” (as residents of Murcott Island), ”For Crying Out Loud”, ”Gettin’ The Bugs Out” (resided in the Azalea Gym), ”Legend? Go! Friends? Go!” (three of them), ”Celebi: The Voice of the Forest”, ”For Ho-Oh the Bells Toll!” (as protectors of the Tin Tower), ”Coming Full-Festival Circle!” and in ”Alola, Kanto!”.

 

In “Talkin’ ‘Bout an Evolution” a Caterpie fell ill due to Team Rocket’s experiments. Caterpie appeared in several other episodes and movies: “Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias”, “Camp Pikachu”, “Gonna Rule The School!” (where the Pokémon Trainers’ School lent one to students) and “Destiny Deoxys”.

 

In “Hi Ho Silver Wind!” a Coordinator owned a Caterpie. Other appearances include “The Green Guardian”, “What I Did for Love!”, “Some Enchanted Sweetening!” (where two Caterpie were attracted by honey) and “The Grass-Type Is Always Greener!”. Additionally, two Caterpie appeared in “An Angry Combeenation!” and one in Jessie’s fantasy in “One Big Happiny Family!”. Lastly, a Caterpie was featured in “One Team, Two Team, Red Team, Blue Team!”.

 

A Trainer’s Caterpie appeared in these episodes:

 

  • ”Electric Shock Showdown”
  • ”Mewtwo Strikes Back”
  • ”Now You See Them, Now You Don’t!”
  • ”The Power of Us”
  • ”Securing the Future!” (three of them owned by different Trainers)
  • ”Exhibition Unmasked!”
  • ”In From Z to Shining Z!”
  • ”Caring for a Mystery!”
  • ”A Festival Reunion!”
  • ”That New Old Gang of Mine!”
  • ”Take My Thief! Please!”

In “Genesect and the Legend Awakened” a Caterpie lived in Pokémon Hills. Another Caterpie appeared in “Kalos, Where Dreams and Adventures Begin!”. In various other episodes including “Lumiose City Pursuit!”, “Mega-Mega Meowth Madness!”, “Day Three Blockbusters!” and “Battling With a Clean Slate! ” (in Professor Sycamore’s lab) a Caterpie appeared. Additionally, a Caterpie was seen in a flashback in “Seeing the Forest for the Trees!. In “Lillie’s Egg-xhilarating Challenge!” two Caterpie played in Lillie’s garden, with one reappearing in “The Ol’ Raise and Switch!”. A Caterpie also appeared in a fantasy in “Lulled to La-La Land!”.

 

A Caterpie was featured in several other episodes and movies. It appeared in “Tasting the Bitter with the Sweet!” and “The Battlefield of Truth and Love!”, where it watched Bewear and Stufful perform in hot springs. Two Caterpie were seen in a flashback in “Enter Pikachu!”, one of which was caught by a female Trainer.

 

Additionally, Caterpie appeared in “Trade, Borrow, and Steal!”, “Secrets of the Jungle” and “Not Too Close for Comfort!”, where one was shown evolving into Butterfree in a video. In “Heroes Unite!”, Caterpie appeared in a flashback. Other appearances include “Distant Blue Sky!”, “Must Be Our Heroes and the Witch!” (in a fantasy sequence), “The Same Moon, Now and Forever!”, “The Rainbow and the Pokémon Master!” and “The Treasure After the Storm!”, where two Caterpie helped repair damage in “Found You, Fuecoco!”.

Manga Appearances

The Electric Tale of Pikachu

 

Ash catches Caterpie in Pikachu, I See You!, evolving into Butterfree during his Gym battle against Misty.

 

Magical Pokémon Journey

 

Caterpie appeared in Tangela’s Secret.

 

Pokémon Adventures

 

Caterpie debuted in a cameo in Bulbasaur, Come Home! as one of the Pokémon escaping from Professor Oak’s Laboratory.

 

It also makes a cameo appearance in The Secret of Kangaskhan.

 

A Caterpie named “Kitty” is caught by Yellow in As Gastly as Before and becomes one of her most useful Pokémon.

 

Pokémon Gotta Catch ‘Em All

 

Shu catches a Caterpie in Shu and Pikachu’s Debut! and uses it creatively, particularly with String Shot.

 

Caterpie makes appearances in ”Shu’s Christmas”, the twenty-third chapter of the Pokémon Gotta Catch ‘Em All manga (GDZ23) and ”Aim for a Big One, the Bug-Catching Contest!”, the 48th chapter of the Pokémon Gotta Catch ‘Em All manga (GDZ48).

 

Pokémon Journeys: The Series

 

Goh catches a Caterpie in Battle Frontier Challenge: The Flute Cup!, similar to the anime.

 

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Ginji’s Rescue Team

 

Caterpie is saved by Ginji from an attacking Ariados.

 

Pokémon Pocket Monsters

 

Caterpie appears in various chapters, including Catch That Pokémon Thief!!, The Legendary Pokémon Appears!!, Regain the Deserted Power Plant!, Fierce Competition at the Pokémon Baseball Tournament!, Pikachu’s Birthday Party, and Demanding Tests at the Pokémon School!.

Game data

Stats

Health Points 45%
Attack 30%
Defense 35%
Special Attack 20%
Special Defense 20%
Speed 45%

Location

Game versionLocation
Pokémon RedRoutes 25, Viridian Forest
Pokémon BlueRoutes 2, 24, and 25, Viridian Forest
Pokémon YellowViridian Forest
Pokémon GoldRoutes 2, 30, and 31, Ilex Forest and National Park-National Park (Bug-Catching Contest)-Headbutt: Azalea Town, Ilex Forest, Lake of Rage, Routes 26, 27, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39
Pokémon SilverNational Park
Pokémon CrystalRoutes 2, 24, 25, 30, and 31, Ilex Forest and National Park
Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon SapphireTrade
Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreenRoutes 2, 24, and 25, Viridian Forest, Pattern Bush
Pokémon EmeraldTrade
Pokémon ColosseumTrade
Pokémon XD: Gale of DarknessTrade
Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon PearlRoute 204
Pokémon PlatinumRoute 204, Eterna Forest
Pokémon HeartGoldRoutes 2, Route 30, and Route 31, Ilex Forest, National Park and Viridian Forest
Pokémon SoulSilverNational Park (Bug-Catching Contest)
Pokémon BlackTrade
Pokémon WhiteBreed Metapod or Butterfree
Pokémon Black 2Trade
Pokémon White 2Breed Butterfree
Pokémon XSantalune Forest
Pokémon YRoute 2, Santalune Forest
Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha SapphireTrade
Pokémon Sun and Pokémon MoonRoute 1, 5, Melemele Meadow, Lush Jungle
Pokémon Ultra Sun Pokémon Ultra MoonRoutes 1 and 5, Melemele Meadow Lush Jungle (SOS Battle)
Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee!Route 2, Viridian Forest
Pokémon Sword and Pokémon ShieldRoute 1 (Galar)Max Raid Battles: Bridge Field, Dappled Grove, Rolling Fields, South Lake Miloch
Pokémon Brilliant DiamondSpacious Cave, Grassland Cave, Swampy Cave, Riverbank Cave, Still-Water Cavern, Sunlit Cavern, Bogsunk Cavern
Pokémon Shining PearlTrade
Legends ArceusUnobtainable
Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon VioletUnobtainable

Caterpie's origin name

Caterpie’s origin names in various languages emphasize its caterpillar characteristics, ensuring a connection to its real-world inspiration and maintaining linguistic coherence within each language.

 

English: The name “Caterpie” is a portmanteau of two words: “caterpillar” and “pie.” The first part, “cater,” is derived from “caterpillar,” the larval stage of a butterfly or moth. The second part, “pie,” might be a reference to the caterpillar’s segmented body resembling the slices of a pie. This English name effectively captures the creature’s identity as a caterpillar Pokémon.

 

Japanese (カメール – Kamēru): In Japanese, Caterpie is known as “Kamēru.” This name is a combination of two words: “kemushi” (毛虫), which means caterpillar, and “meromero” (メロメロ), an onomatopoeic term for being infatuated or captivated. The Japanese name emphasizes the creature’s caterpillar nature and may also allude to its charming appearance.

 

French: The French name for Caterpie is “Chenipan.” This name draws from “chenille,” meaning caterpillar. It straightforwardly reflects Caterpie’s real-world inspiration, the caterpillar, and maintains linguistic consistency with its evolutionary line.

 

German: In German, Caterpie goes by “Raupy.” This name is derived from “Raupe,” which translates to caterpillar. Similar to other languages, the German name reflects the Pokémon’s characteristic as a caterpillar.

 

Spanish: Caterpie is known as “Oruga” in Spanish. The name is a straightforward translation, directly referring to a caterpillar. This maintains clarity and aligns with the creature’s insect-like nature.

 

Italian: In Italian, Caterpie is named “Insettocino.” This name combines “insetto” (insect) with the diminutive suffix “-cino.” It can be translated as “little insect,” emphasizing the small and larval nature of Caterpie.

 

Korean (캐터피 – Kaeteopi): The Korean name for Caterpie is “Kaeteopi,” which closely resembles the English name. This reflects the trend of adopting or adapting English names in the Korean versions of Pokémon.

 

Chinese (Chinese Simplified: 绿毛虫 – Lǜmáochóng, Chinese Traditional: 綠毛蟲 – Lǜmáochóng): In Chinese, Caterpie is known as “Lǜmáochóng,” where “Lǜ” means green, and “máochóng” means caterpillar. The name aligns with the creature’s green appearance and caterpillar classification.