Which mouthparts are found in caterpillars and adults of butterflies and moths?

Caterpillars and adults of butterflies and moths have distinct mouthparts suited to their feeding habits during different life stages. In the larval stage, caterpillars possess chewing mouthparts. This structure is well-adapted for consuming leaves and plant material, as caterpillars are primarily herbivorous and need to chew through tough plant tissues.

When they metamorphose into adults, butterflies and moths develop siphoning mouthparts. This change is crucial because adult butterflies and moths typically feed on nectar from flowers, a task that requires a specialized mouth structure capable of accessing and drawing up liquid. The proboscis, which is the elongated siphoning mouthpart, allows these insects to reach into flowers and extract nectar efficiently.

The choice of chewing and siphoning captures the evolutionary adaptations of these insects, reflecting their different dietary needs in the larval and adult stages. The other choices do not represent the correct mouthpart combinations for both life stages, as they mix methods unsuitable for the feeding habits of butterflies and moths at either stage.