| The caterpillar stage of the Common Tiger lasts about 10 days. Unlike many other species where the caterpillar changes form/colour as it matures, the caterpillar of the Common Tiger does not change much (except grow big very rapidly) It is ornamented with yellow, blue and white spots on a black background and possesses three pairs of black-tipped crimson filaments. The caterpillar is believed to be distasteful to birds and is very much avoided. |
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| The caterpillar does not bother to conceal itself and feeds greedily during the day and night. The batch which was photographed here defoliated the small pot of food plant, Raphistemma pulchellum, rapidly and fortunately, were able to pupate despite the shortage of fresh leaves. They ended up eating the softer stems towards their last instar. |  |
