For Pokémon GO information on this species, see the game's section.
←
#0009: Blastoise
Pokémon
#0011: Metapod
→
This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Caterpie (disambiguation).
CaterpieWorm Pokémon
キャタピーCaterpie
#0010
Images on the Bulbagarden Archives
Type
Bug
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Abilities
Shield Dust
Cacophony
Cacophony
Run Away Hidden Ability
Cacophony Hidden Ability
Cacophony
Cacophony
Gender ratio
Unknown
50% male,50% female
Catch rate
255 (43.9%)
Breeding
Egg Group
Bug
Hatch time
15 cycles
Height
1'00"
0.3 m
Caterpie
0'0"
0 m
{{{form2}}}
0'0"
0 m
{{{form3}}}
0'0"
0 m
{{{form4}}}
0'0"
0 m
{{{form5}}}
0'0"
0 m
{{{form6}}}
0'0"
0 m
{{{form7}}}
Weight
6.4 lbs.
2.9 kg
Caterpie
0 lbs.
0 kg
{{{form2}}}
0 lbs.
0 kg
{{{form3}}}
0 lbs.
0 kg
{{{form4}}}
0 lbs.
0 kg
{{{form5}}}
0 lbs.
0 kg
{{{form6}}}
0 lbs.
0 kg
{{{form7}}}
Mega Stone
[[|]]
[[|]]
Base experience yield
53Gen. I-IV
UnknownIV
39V+
Leveling rate
Medium Fast
EV yield
Total: 1
Caterpie
1HP
0Atk
0Def
0Sp.Atk
0Sp.Def
0Speed
0HP
0Atk
0Def
0Sp.Atk
0Sp.Def
0Speed
0HP
0Atk
0Def
0Sp.Atk
0Sp.Def
0Speed
0HP
0Atk
0Def
0Sp.Atk
0Sp.Def
0Speed
Shape
Footprint
{{{form2}}}
Pokédex color
Green
Base friendship
70
External Links
On Smogon Pokédex:
Generation I
Generation II
Generation III
Generation IV
Generation V
Generation VI
Generation VII
Generation VIII
Generation IX
Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives
Caterpie (Japanese: キャタピー Caterpie) is a Bug-type Pokémon introduced in Generation I.
It evolves into Metapod starting at level 7, which evolves into Butterfree starting at level 10.
Contents
1Biology
1.1Evolution
2Game data
2.1NPC appearances
2.2Pokédex entries
2.2.1Alternate games
2.3Game locations
2.3.1In side games
2.4Held items
2.5Stats
2.5.1Base stats
2.5.2Pokéathlon stats
2.6Type effectiveness
2.7Learnset
2.7.1By leveling up
2.7.2By TM/TR
2.7.3By breeding
2.7.4By tutoring
2.7.5By transfer from another generation
2.7.6TCG-only moves
2.8Side game data
2.9Evolution data
2.10Sprites
3In animation
3.1Main series
3.1.1Major appearances
3.1.1.1Ash's Caterpie
3.1.1.2Goh's Caterpie
3.1.1.3Other
3.1.2Minor appearances
3.1.3Pokédex entries
3.2Pokémon Origins
3.3Pokémon Generations
3.4Pokémon Evolutions
3.5POKÉTOON
4In the manga
4.1Pokémon Adventures
4.1.1Major appearances
4.1.1.1Kitty
4.1.2Minor appearances
4.2Pokémon Pocket Monsters
4.3The Electric Tale of Pikachu
4.4Magical Pokémon Journey
4.5Pokémon: Yeah! I Got Pokémon!
4.6Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Ginji's Rescue Team
4.7Pokémon Journeys
5In the TCG
6Trivia
6.1Origin
6.1.1Name origin
7In other languages
8Related articles
9References
10External links
Biology
Caterpie emitting a terrible stench
Caterpie is an insect Pokémon that resembles a green caterpillar with a yellow underside and teardrop-shaped tail. Yellow ring-shaped markings down the sides of its segmented body resemble its eyes and are meant to scare off predators. Its most notable characteristic is the bright red antenna (osmeterium) on its head, which releases a stench to repel predators. Despite these features and its camouflage in green foliage, Caterpie is often preyed upon by Flying-type Pokémon. Its four tiny feet are tipped with suction cups, permitting this Pokémon to scale most surfaces with minimal effort.
Caterpie is easy to capture and grows quickly, making it ideal for new Trainers. As Caterpie grow and develop over time, they will shed their skin many times before finally cocooning themselves in thick silk. It can also spit this silk to entangle foes as seen in the Pokémon the Series episode Ash Catches a Pokémon. It has a voracious appetite, driving it to eat a hundred leaves daily. It will even eat leaves bigger than itself. According to the 54th chapter of Pokémon Adventures, its favorite food is the Vermilion flower. Caterpie lives in temperate forests and jungles. As shown in Pokémon Sleep, Caterpie is known to sleep occasionally while using String Shot. On occasion, it drools out strings instead of saliva[1].
Evolution
Caterpie evolves into Metapod, which evolves into Butterfree.
(For specifics on this Pokémon's Evolution in the games, refer to Game data→Evolution data.)
Unevolved
Caterpie Bug
→
First Evolution
Metapod Bug
→
Second Evolution
Butterfree Bug Flying
Game data
NPC appearances
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Caterpie is rescued in the first mission of the game. It is too young to be of any help to the rescue team but remains a strong fan throughout the game, even in its darkest hour.
Pokédex entries
Generation I
Kanto #010
Red(JPN)
(This entry was originally untranslated in English until it was reused in Pokémon FireRed.)
Green
Red(ENG)
Its short feet are tipped with suction pads that enable it to tirelessly climb slopes and walls.
Blue
Yellow
If you touch the feeler on top of its head, it will release a horrible stink to protect itself.
Stadium
It has large, eye-like patterns on its head as protection. They are used to frighten off enemies.
Generation II
Johto #024
Gold
For protection, it releases a horrible stench from the antenna on its head to drive away enemies.
Silver
Its feet have suction cups designed to stick to any surface. It tenaciously climbs trees to forage.
Crystal
It crawls into foliage where it camouflages itself among leaves that are the same color as its body.
Stadium 2
For protection, it releases a horrible stench from the antenna on its head to drive away enemies. (Pokémon Red, Silver, or Crystal inserted)Its feet have suction cups designed to stick to any surface. It tenaciously climbs trees to forage. (Pokémon Blue, Gold, or Yellow inserted)
Generation III
Hoenn #—
Kanto #010
Ruby
Caterpie has a voracious appetite. It can devour leaves bigger than its body right before your eyes. From its antenna, this Pokémon releases a terrifically strong odor.
Sapphire
Emerald
Its voracious appetite compels it to devour leaves bigger than itself without hesitation. It releases a terribly strong odor from its antennae.
FireRed
It is covered with a green skin. When it grows, it sheds the skin, covers itself with silk, and becomes a cocoon.
LeafGreen
Its short feet are tipped with suction pads that enable it to tirelessly climb slopes and walls.
Generation IV
Sinnoh #—
Johto #024
Diamond
It releases a stench from its red antenna to repel enemies. It grows by molting repeatedly.
Pearl
Platinum
HeartGold
For protection, it releases a horrible stench from the antennae on its head to drive away enemies.
SoulSilver
Its feet have suction cups designed to stick to any surface. It tenaciously climbs trees to forage.
Generation V
Unova #—
Black
It releases a stench from its red antenna to repel enemies. It grows by molting repeatedly.
White
Black 2
It releases a stench from its red antenna to repel enemies. It grows by molting repeatedly.
White 2
Generation VI
Central Kalos #023
Coastal Kalos #—
Mountain Kalos #—
Hoenn #—
X
For protection, it releases a horrible stench from the antennae on its head to drive away enemies.
Y
Its feet have suction cups designed to stick to any surface. It tenaciously climbs trees to forage.
Omega Ruby
Caterpie has a voracious appetite. It can devour leaves bigger than its body right before your eyes. From its antenna, this Pokémon releases a terrifically strong odor.
Alpha Sapphire
Generation VII
Alola #017
Kanto #010
Sun
When attacked by bird Pokémon, it resists by releasing a terrifically strong odor from its antennae, but it often becomes their prey.
Moon
It's easy to catch, and it grows quickly, making it one of the top recommendations for novice Pokémon Trainers.
Ultra Sun
Perhaps because it would like to grow up quickly, it has a voracious appetite, eating a hundred leaves a day.
Ultra Moon
Its body is soft and weak. In nature, its perpetual fate is to be seen by others as food.
Let's Go Pikachu
If you touch the feeler on top of its head, it will release a horrible stink to protect itself.
Let's Go Eevee
Generation VIII
Galar #013
Isle of Armor #—
Crown Tundra #—
Sinnoh #—
Hisui #—
This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Legends: Arceus.
Sword
For protection, it releases a horrible stench from the antenna on its head to drive away enemies.
Shield
Its short feet are tipped with suction pads that enable it to tirelessly climb slopes and walls.
Brilliant Diamond
It releases a stench from its red antennae to repel enemies. It grows by molting repeatedly.
Shining Pearl
Generation IX
Paldea #—
Kitakami #—
Blueberry #—
Lumiose #—
Hyperspace #—
This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Generation IX.
Spin-off games
Pokopia #—
This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Pokopia.
Caterpie's Image in the Alolan Pokédex
Alternate games
Pokémon Pinball, Pokémon Trading Card Game (Base Set, Base Set 2, Legendary Collection) Its short feet are tipped with suction pads that enable it to tirelessly climb slopes and walls. Pokémon Trading Card Game (Neo Discovery) For protection, it releases a horrible stench from the antennae on its head to drive away enemies.
Game locations
Generation I
Red
Route 25, Viridian Forest
Blue
Routes 2, 24, and 25, Viridian Forest
Blue (Japan)
Routes 2, 24, and 25, Viridian Forest
Yellow
Viridian Forest
Generation II
Gold
Routes 2, 30, and 31, Ilex Forest and National ParkMorningDayNational Park (Bug-Catching Contest)TuThSaRoutes 26, 27, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, and 39, Azalea Town, Ilex Forest, Lake of Rage (Headbutt trees)
Silver
National Park (Bug-Catching Contest)TuThSa
Crystal
Routes 2, 24, 25, 30, and 31, Ilex Forest and National ParkMorningDayNational Park (Bug-Catching Contest)TuThSaIlex Forest (Headbutt trees)
Generation III
Ruby
Sapphire
Trade
Emerald
Trade
FireRed
LeafGreen
Routes 2, 24, and 25, Viridian Forest, Pattern Bush
Colosseum
Trade
XD
Trade
Generation IV
Diamond
Pearl
Route 204 (FireRed)
Platinum
Route 204, Eterna Forest (FireRed)
HeartGold
Routes 2, 30, and 31, Ilex Forest, National Park, Viridian ForestMorningDayNational Park (Bug-Catching Contest)TuThSaIlex Forest (Headbutt trees)
SoulSilver
National Park (Bug-Catching Contest)TuThSa
Pal Park
Forest
Generation V
Black
Trade
White
Breed Metapod or Butterfree
Black 2
Trade
White 2
Breed Butterfree
Generation VI
X
Santalune Forest
Y
Route 2, Santalune Forest
Omega Ruby
Alpha Sapphire
Trade
Generation VII
Sun
Moon
Routes 1 and 5, Lush Jungle, Melemele Meadow
Ultra Sun
Ultra Moon
Routes 1 and 5, Melemele MeadowLush Jungle (SOS Battle)
Let's Go Pikachu
Let's Go Eevee
Route 2, Viridian Forest
Generation VIII
Sword
Shield
Route 1Bridge Field, Dappled Grove, Rolling Fields, South Lake Miloch (Max Raid Battle)
Brilliant Diamond
Grand Underground - Spacious Cave, Grassland Cave, Swampy Cave, Riverbank Cave Still-Water Cavern, Sunlit Cavern, Bogsunk Cavern (After obtaining the National Pokédex)
Shining Pearl
Trade
Legends: Arceus
Unobtainable
Generation IX
Scarlet
Violet
Unobtainable
Legends: Z-A
Unobtainable
In side games
Generation I
Pinball
Red and Blue Field: Viridian Forest, Cerulean City
Generation II
This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation II side games.
Generation III
Channel
Forest
Trozei!
Phobos Train, Endless level 9, Trozei Battle, Mr. Who's Den
MD Red
MD Blue
Wish Cave (B2F-B4F)
Generation IV
MD Time
MD Darkness
Apple Woods (1F-4F), Oran Forest (1F-4F)
MD Sky
Apple Woods (1F-4F), Oran Forest (1F-4F)
Rumble
Silent Forest (Normal Mode C)
PokéPark Wii
Meadow Zone
Generation V
Rumble Blast
Treetops: Sun-Dappled Bank
PokéPark 2
Arbor Area
Rumble U
Vehicle Gallery: Slithering Trains, Chill Battle: The Forest of Memories
Greengrass Isle, Cyan Beach, Old Gold Power Plant, Amber Canyon, Greengrass IsleExpert (from Basic 1)
Cross-Generation
Shuffle
Event: Pokémon Safari (20th release)
Held items
Pokémon caught in Generation I must be traded to a Generation II game in order for a held item to appear.
Games
Held items
Red
Blue
Berry (100%)
Yellow
Stats
Base stats
Stat
Range
At Lv. 50
At Lv. 100
HP:45
105 - 152
200 - 294
Attack:30
31 - 90
58 - 174
Defense:35
36 - 95
67 - 185
Sp. Atk:20
22 - 79
40 - 152
Sp. Def:20
22 - 79
40 - 152
Speed:45
45 - 106
85 - 207
Total:195
Other Pokémon with this total
Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature.
Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.
This Pokémon's Special base stat in Generation I was 20.
Pokéathlon stats
Speed
2/3
★★☆
Power
1/3
★☆☆
Skill
4/4
★★★★
Stamina
2/3
★★☆
Jump
2/2
★★
Total
11/15
★★☆
Type effectiveness
Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
Damagednormally by:
Normal
1×
Fighting
½×
Flying
2×
Poison
1×
Ground
½×
Rock
2×
Bug
1×
Ghost
1×
Steel
1×
Fire
2×
Water
1×
Grass
½×
Electric
1×
Psychic
1×
Ice
1×
Dragon
1×
Dark
1×
Fairy
1×
None
Weak to:
Normal
1×
Fighting
½×
Flying
2×
Poison
1×
Ground
½×
Rock
2×
Bug
1×
Ghost
1×
Steel
1×
Fire
2×
Water
1×
Grass
½×
Electric
1×
Psychic
1×
Ice
1×
Dragon
1×
Dark
1×
Fairy
1×
None
Immune to:
Normal
1×
Fighting
½×
Flying
2×
Poison
1×
Ground
½×
Rock
2×
Bug
1×
Ghost
1×
Steel
1×
Fire
2×
Water
1×
Grass
½×
Electric
1×
Psychic
1×
Ice
1×
Dragon
1×
Dark
1×
Fairy
1×
None
Resistant to:
Normal
1×
Fighting
½×
Flying
2×
Poison
1×
Ground
½×
Rock
2×
Bug
1×
Ghost
1×
Steel
1×
Fire
2×
Water
1×
Grass
½×
Electric
1×
Psychic
1×
Ice
1×
Dragon
1×
Dark
1×
Fairy
1×
None
Notes:
In Generation I, the effectiveness of Poison-type moves is 2×.
Learnset
Caterpie is available in Sword and Shield and Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
By leveling up
Generation VIII
Other generations:
I - II - III - IV - V - VI - VII - IX
Level
Move
Type
Cat.
Pwr.
Acc.
PP
011
Tackle
Normal
Physical
04040
100100%
35
011
String Shot
Bug
Status
0000—
09595%
40
099
Bug Bite
Bug
Physical
06060
100100%
20
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Caterpie
Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Caterpie
Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations
By TM/TR
SwSh
Generation VIII
Other generations:
I - II - III - IV - V - VI - VII - IX
TM
Move
Type
Cat.
Pwr.
Acc.
PP
TM82
TM82
Electroweb
Electric
Special
05555
095}}95%
15
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Caterpie
Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Caterpie
Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations
BDSP
Generation VIII
Other generations:
I - II - III - IV - V - VI - VII - IX
TM
Move
Type
Cat.
Pwr.
Acc.
PP
This Pokémon learns no moves by TM.
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Caterpie
Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Caterpie
Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations
By breeding
Generation VIII
Other generations:
II - III - IV - V - VI - VII - IX
Parent
Move
Type
Cat.
Pwr.
Acc.
PP
This Pokémon learns no moves by breeding.
Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Caterpie in Generation VIII
Moves marked with a double dagger (‡) can only be bred from a Pokémon who learned the move in an earlier generation.
Moves marked with a superscript game abbreviation can only be bred onto Caterpie in that game.
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Caterpie
Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Caterpie
Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations
By tutoring
Generation VIII
Other generations:
II - III - IV - V - VI - VII - IX
Game
Move
Type
Cat.
Pwr.
Acc.
PP
This Pokémon learns no moves by tutoring.
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Caterpie
Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Caterpie
Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations
By transfer from another generation
Generation VIII
Other generations:
I - II - IV - V - VI - VII - IX
Gen.
Move
Type
Cat.
Pwr.
Acc.
PP
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
Snore
Normal
Special
05050
100}}100%
15
Transferred Pokémon only retain these moves in Pokémon Sword and Shield
A striped background indicates a generation in which the move can only be obtained via event or as a special move
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Caterpie
Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Caterpie
× indicates a move that cannot be used in Sword and Shield
Click on the generation numbers at the top to see transfer-only moves for other generations
TCG-only moves
Move
Card
Headbutt
Caterpie (Expedition 96)
Side game data
Pokémon Pinball
Acquisition: Catch
Pokémon Trozei!
Rarity: Common
Pokémon Mystery DungeonRed Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team
Body size: 1
Recruit rate: 10.2%
Friend Area: Mist-Rise Forest
Phrases
61%-100% HP
I'll eat lots and grow big.
26%-60% HP
This is so hard... My health is down to half.
1%-25% HP
I can't keep up... I can't spit silk anymore...
Level up
I leveled up! Happy!
Pokémon Mystery DungeonExplorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky
Body size: 1
Recruit rate: 8.2%
IQ group: A
Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon
Body size: Standard (1 tile) How to Recruit: Talk to in Serene Village Connected to: Rattata, Igglybuff, Wooper Connection Orb Set: 3
Phrases
Normal
Tree leaves are the yummiest, aren't they?
Low HP (< 50%)
This is…not easy…
Pokémon Rumble
Attack
●
Defense
●
Speed
●●●
Pokémon Rumble Blast
Attack
●
Defense
●
Speed
●●●
Pokémon Rumble Rush
Walking Speed: 2.92 seconds
Base HP: 46
Base Attack: 59
Base Defense: 40
Base Speed: 60
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure
PokéPark Pad entry:
Caterpie fell out of the White Tree on the other side of the bridge in the Meadow Zone! Her favorite Attraction is Bulbasaur's Daring Dash.
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond
Strong:
Weak:
PokéPark Pad entry:
Their steps are slow, but they are quite aggressive and hate to lose. They are second to none in spirit.
Pokémon Battle Trozei
Bug
Attack Power:
★★★★★
Pokémon Shuffle
Bug
Attack Power: 30 - 85
5
#747
Flash Mob
Increases damage when there are more Pokémon with the same type in the puzzle area.
Pokémon GO
Base HP: 128
Base Attack: 55
Base Defense: 55
Egg Distance: N/A*
Buddy Distance: 1 km
Evolution Requirement: 12
Fast Attacks: Bug Bite, Tackle
Charged Attacks: Struggle, Frustration, Return
New Pokémon Snap
Photodex entry #011
This eager eater consumes leaf after leaf while hiding in tall grass. When Caterpie senses danger, it exudes a horrible odor from the antenna on its head to protect itself.
Pokémon Sleep
Sleep type: Dozing
Pokémon type: Bug
Points to befriend: 5
Specialty: Berries
Berry:Lum Berry ×2
Primary ingredient:Honey ×1
Possible ingredients:
Honey
Snoozy Tomato
Greengrass Soybeans
Main skill: Ingredient Magnet S
Base carry limit: 11
Gets you 6 ingredients chosen at random.
Evolution requirements:
Caterpie Candy ×40, Lv. 5
On very rare occasions, Caterpie looks as though it has fallen asleep in the middle of using String Shot. It appears that it drools string instead of saliva while it sleeps.
Sprawled Sleep
Droopy-Headed Sleep
String-Shot Sleep
Atop-Belly Sleep
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
Evolution data
Unevolved
Caterpie Bug
Level 7→
First Evolution
Metapod Bug
Level 10→
Second Evolution
Butterfree Bug Flying
Sprites
Generation I
Red
Green
Red
Blue
Yellow
Front
Back
Front
Back
Front
Back
Generation II
Gold
Silver
Crystal
Front
Back
Front
Back
Front
Back
Generation III
Ruby
Sapphire
Emerald
FireRed
LeafGreen
Front
Back
Front
Back
Front
Back
Generation IV
Diamond
Pearl
Platinum
HeartGold
SoulSilver
Front
Back
Front
Back
Front
Back
Generation V
Black
White
Black 2
White 2
Front
Back
Front
Back
Generation VI
X
Y
Omega Ruby
Alpha Sapphire
Front
Back
Front
Back
Generation VII
Sun
Moon
Ultra Sun
Ultra Moon
Front
Back
Front
Back
Let's Go, Pikachu!
Let's Go, Eevee!
Generation VIII
Sword
Shield
This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation IX.
Cross-Generation
HOME
For other sprites and images, please see Caterpie images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
In animation
Main series
Caterpie in Pokémon Horizons: The Series
Major appearances
Ash's Caterpie
Caterpie debuted in Pokémon Emergency!, where Ash encountered him in Viridian Forest. He caught him in Ash Catches a Pokémon, making Caterpie the first Pokémon he caught in the wild. He evolved into Metapod in the same episode after a battle with Team Rocket, and then into Butterfree during the following episode.
Caterpie also appeared in I Choose You!, which is set in a different continuity from Pokémon the Series. It evolved into Metapod during a battle against a Pinsir and later into Butterfree after a battle against a group of Primeape.
Goh's Caterpie
In Working My Way Back to Mew!, Goh caught a Caterpie. It has since made further appearances in Pokémon Journeys: The Series.
Other
A Caterpie appeared in The Dunsparce Deception, under the ownership of Bucky. He used it to compete in a race with Dunsparce, but it ultimately lost due to its slow speed.
A Caterpie appeared in Caterpie's Big Dilemma, under the ownership of Zander. It ate some of Dr. Gordon's enhanced Rare Candies and turned giant as a result. It eventually evolved into a Mothra-sized Butterfree.
A Caterpie appeared in Butterfree and Me! as a resident of Wayfarer Island. Ash befriended it after realizing it had yet to evolve, which reminded Ash of his own Caterpie. As a result, he helped Caterpie evolve into Metapod and then into Butterfree.
Minor appearances
In Bulbasaur and the Hidden Village, Melanie cared for a Caterpie. It reappeared in a flashback in Bulbasaur... the Ambassador!.
A Trainer's Caterpie appeared in Electric Shock Showdown.
In Battle Aboard the St. Anne, a Caterpie was aboard the St. Anne.
In Pokémon Fashion Flash, a Caterpie was on Scissor Street.
A Caterpie appeared in a fantasy in Dig Those Diglett!.
In The Ultimate Test, an image of Caterpie was used in the exams.
A Caterpie appeared in The Breeding Center Secret.
A Caterpie appeared in Clefairy Tales.
A Trainer's Caterpie appeared in Mewtwo Strikes Back.
In In the Pink, pink Caterpie was a resident of Pinkan Island.
In Tracey Gets Bugged, multiple Caterpie were residents of Murcott Island.
Two Caterpie appeared in a flashback in Wherefore Art Thou, Pokémon?, one each under the ownership of Ralph and Emily.
A wild Caterpie appeared in Pikachu's Rescue Adventure.
In Illusion Confusion!, a Caterpie was one of the illusions created by a group of Haunter and Gengar.
In For Crying Out Loud, multiple Caterpie were accidentally splashed by Wilhomena's Marill.
In Gettin' The Bugs Out, multiple Caterpie resided in the Azalea Gym. One Caterpie scared Misty by coming down the trees. Later on, they assisted in apprehending Team Rocket with silk.
In The Bug Stops Here, a Caterpie was chased away by Misty after she found it talking with Togepi.
In Carrying On!, a Caterpie was in Way Away Island's Pokémon Center.
A Caterpie appeared in Jessie's fantasy in Wings 'N' Things.
Multiple Caterpie appeared in Celebi: The Voice of the Forest.
In Got Miltank?, a Caterpie was a resident in a Pokémon-exclusive oasis.
In For Ho-Oh the Bells Toll!, multiple Caterpie were protecting the Tin Tower after Team Rocket stole the Crystal Bells on the top floor.
In Talkin' 'Bout an Evolution, a Caterpie fell sick due to Team Rocket's experiments.
A Caterpie appeared in Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias.
A Caterpie appeared in Camp Pikachu.
In Gonna Rule The School!, the Pokémon Trainers' School lent a Caterpie to the school's underage students for use in lessons.
A Caterpie appeared in Destiny Deoxys.
A Caterpie appeared in Hi Ho Silver Wind!, under the ownership of a Coordinator.
A Caterpie appeared in The Green Guardian.
A Coordinator‘s Caterpie appeared in What I Did for Love!.
In Some Enchanted Sweetening!, two Caterpie were lured in by the Honey that Cheryl had slathered onto a tree. Additional Caterpie also appeared in a boss fantasy in the same episode, but said boss fantasy was cut from the dub due to it containing suggestive material.
A Caterpie appeared in The Grass-Type Is Always Greener!.
Two Caterpie appeared in An Angry Combeenation!.
A Caterpie appeared in Jessie's fantasy in One Big Happiny Family!.
A Caterpie appeared in One Team, Two Team, Red Team, Blue Team!.
Multiple Caterpie appeared in Coming Full-Festival Circle!.
A Caterpie appeared in Genesect and the Legend Awakened as a resident of Pokémon Hills.
A Caterpie appeared in Kalos, Where Dreams and Adventures Begin!.
In Lumiose City Pursuit!, Mega-Mega Meowth Madness!, Day Three Blockbusters!, and Battling With a Clean Slate!, a Caterpie was a resident of Professor Sycamore's lab.
A Caterpie appeared in a flashback in Seeing the Forest for the Trees!.
In Lillie's Egg-xhilarating Challenge!, two Caterpie were playing in Lillie's garden. One of them reappeared in The Ol' Raise and Switch!.
A Caterpie appeared in a fantasy in Lulled to La-La Land!.
Multiple wild Caterpie appeared in Alola, Kanto!.
A Trainer's Caterpie appeared in Now You See Them, Now You Don't!.
A Caterpie appeared in Tasting the Bitter with the Sweet!.
A Trainer's Caterpie appeared in The Power of Us.
Four Caterpie appeared in Securing the Future!, with three under the ownership of different Trainers and the fourth being wild. They joined the rest of Alola in showering Necrozma with light so it could return to its true form.
In The Battlefield of Truth and Love!, a Caterpie watched Bewear and Stufful put on a performance in their hot springs.
A Trainer's Caterpie appeared in Exhibition Unmasked!.
In From Z to Shining Z!, a Trainer's Caterpie watched the battle between Ash's Pikachu and Tapu Koko.
Two Caterpie appeared in a flashback in Enter Pikachu!, with one of them being caught by a female Trainer.
Three Caterpie appeared in a video hologram in Legend? Go! Friends? Go!.
In A Snow Day for Searching!, Goh's Butterfree encountered a Caterpie while it was out looking for Cubone's bone.
A Trainer's Caterpie appeared in Caring for a Mystery!.
A Trainer's Caterpie appeared in A Festival Reunion!.
A Caterpie appeared in Trade, Borrow, and Steal!.
A Trainer's Caterpie appeared in That New Old Gang of Mine!.
A Caterpie appeared in Secrets of the Jungle.
In Not Too Close for Comfort!, a Caterpie was seen in a video, evolving all the way into Butterfree.
A Trainer's Caterpie appeared in Take My Thief! Please!.
Two Caterpie appeared in Infinite Possibilities!.
In Heroes Unite!, a Caterpie appeared during a flashback.
A Caterpie appeared in Distant Blue Sky!.
In Must Be Our Heroes and the Witch!, a Caterpie appeared in a fantasy.
A Caterpie appeared in The Same Moon, Now and Forever!.
A Caterpie appeared in The Rainbow and the Pokémon Master!.
Two Caterpie appeared in The Treasure After the Storm!. They reappeared in Found You, Fuecoco!, where they helped repair the damage to the Brave Olivine. One of them reappeared during a flashback in A New Song for Fuecoco.
Pokédex entries
Episode
Pokémon
Source
Entry
AG142
Caterpie
May's Pokédex
Caterpie, the Worm Pokémon. Caterpie uses the suction cups on its feet to climb trees and feed on its favorite leaves.
Episode
Pokémon
Source
Entry
BW130
Caterpie
Ash's Pokédex
Caterpie, the Worm Pokémon. To repel enemies, Caterpie releases an unpleasant odor from its red antenna. It molts several times while growing.
Pokémon Origins
Caterpie in Pokémon Origins
In File 1: Red, a Caterpie was seen in Professor Oak's introduction, while Red caught another, which was registered in his Pokédex. It evolved into Metapod before his Gym battle with Brock.
In File 3: Giovanni, two Caterpie were seen caged in the Rocket Hideout and Silph Co., respectively.
Pokémon Generations
Caterpie in Pokémon Generations
In The Adventure, Pikachu encountered and battled a Caterpie in Viridian Forest.
Pokémon Evolutions
In The Show, a Caterpie briefly appeared under the ownership of a Trainer in Ecruteak City.
In The Discovery, a Caterpie appeared in a fantasy of a forest of the Kanto region.
POKÉTOON
A Caterpie appeared in PT12.
In the manga
Caterpie in Pokémon Adventures
Pokémon Adventures
Major appearances
Kitty
A Caterpie appeared in As Gastly as Before. With the help of her fishing rod and Red's Pika, Yellow saved a Caterpie from its tree, which was targeted by a Fire attack. Caterpie then followed Yellow to Route 9, where she and Blue were training. It took Yellow a whole day to properly catch this Caterpie with a Poké Ball, but once she prevailed, Yellow welcomed Caterpie to her team and called it "Kitty". It then became one of Yellow's most useful Pokémon, whose string was commonly used to make floaters. However, in the battle against Lance, Yellow did not have a Pokédex, which she needed to stop her Pokémon from evolving. As a result, Kitty evolved into Metapod and then into Butterfree right afterwards.
Minor appearances
Caterpie debuted in a cameo in Bulbasaur, Come Home! as one of the Pokémon that escapes from Professor Oak's Laboratory. It also makes a cameo in The Secret of Kangaskhan.
A Caterpie appeared as a silhouette when Green talks about Mew in The Jynx Jinx.
A Caterpie was mentioned as one of the Pokémon Crystal had caught for Professor Oak in Three Cheers for Chikorita.
A Caterpie was one of the Pokémon Crystal fails to catch in Absolutely Azumarill.
A Caterpie appeared in The Last Battle XIII as one of the Pokémon sent to participate in the fight in Ilex Forest.
According to the Pokédex at the end of Volume 1, Red appears to have caught a Caterpie, which evolved into a Metapod and then a Butterfree.
Pokémon Pocket Monsters
A Caterpie appeared in Catch That Pokémon Thief!!.
A Caterpie appeared in The Legendary Pokémon Appears!!.
A Caterpie appeared in Regain the Deserted Power Plant!.
A Caterpie appeared in Fierce Competition at the Pokémon Baseball Tournament!, where it was one of the Pokémon that took part in a baseball match. It was seen with Green during the game.
A Caterpie appeared in Pikachu's Birthday Party.
A Caterpie appeared in Demanding Tests at the Pokémon School!.
A Caterpie appeared in The Hardest Bug Pokémon Wins?!.
The Electric Tale of Pikachu
Main article: Ash's Caterpie
Ash's Caterpie is the second wild Pokémon that Ash catches, being caught in Pikachu, I See You!. It evolves twice in Play Misty For Me—first into Metapod while Ash is showing it off to Misty, and then into Butterfree during his Gym battle against Misty.
Ash is not shown releasing his Butterfree in the manga, although it is not seen after Haunting My Dreams.
Magical Pokémon Journey
A Caterpie appeared in Tangela's Secret.
Pokémon: Yeah! I Got Pokémon!
Shu caught a Caterpie in Shu and Pikachu's Debut!. He uses it in various creative ways, mostly involving strange uses of its String Shot.
A Caterpie appeared in GDZ23.
A Caterpie appeared in GDZ48.
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Ginji's Rescue Team
Main article: Caterpie (Red and Blue Rescue Team)
In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Ginji's Rescue Team, Ginji saved a Caterpie from an attacking Ariados.
Pokémon Journeys
Goh caught a Caterpie in Battle Frontier Challenge: The Flute Cup!, just like he does in the animated series.
In the TCG
Main article: Caterpie (TCG)
Trivia
Caterpie's miscolored mouth in Ash Catches a Pokémon
Caterpie was both the first Pokémon to be caught and the first Pokémon to evolve in Pokémon the Series.
Caterpie shares its category with Wurmple and Snom. They are known as the Worm Pokémon.
In early episodes of Pokémon the Series, Caterpie's mouth was incorrectly colored yellow. It wasn't until Wings 'N' Things that Caterpie's mouth started to be colored green.
Until the release of Pokémon Platinum, when it became able to learn Bug Bite, Caterpie was unable to do anything to a Ghost type except struggling and lowering its Speed. It shares this trait with its Evolution, Metapod. This is also true for Weedle, and its Evolution, Kakuna, against Steel types before Pokémon Platinum was released.
Due to this, it was impossible to complete a Generation I game using only Caterpie or Metapod, since Struggle couldn't hit Ghost types at the time.
In Pokémon the Series and the Pokémon Adventures manga, Caterpie holds the record as the Pokémon who takes the least amount of time to evolve twice, taking only one episode in the animated series and one chapter in Pokémon Adventures.
Poliwag and Togepi also share this record, but in Pokémon Adventures only.
Prior to Generation VI, Caterpie's shape was .
In Ash Catches a Pokémon, when Caterpie evolves into Metapod, the process was similar to a real caterpillar going into pupation. Later episodes[2] show Caterpie evolving like the rest of the Pokémon do.
Caterpie is tied with Weedle, Magikarp, Igglybuff, Carvanha, Attack Forme Deoxys, and Stonjourner for having the lowest base Special Defense stat of all Pokémon.
It is inconsistent across the franchise whether the yellow and black spots on Caterpie's head are actually its eyes or merely spots resembling eyes.
Origin
Caterpie is based on a caterpillar,[3] perhaps specifically the Asian swallowtail, eastern tiger swallowtail, or spicebush swallowtail due to its green body, yellow eyespots, and red osmeterium, which these species use to mimic snakes. The tip of its tail resembles the horn that many species of hawk moth larvae have on their rear ends.
Name origin
Caterpie may be a corruption or shortening of caterpillar. It may also be an attempt to transcribe the Japanese name,「キャタピー」(Caterpie), into English.
In other languages
Language
Title
Meaning
Japanese
キャタピー Caterpie
From キャタピラー kyatapirā and ぴー -pī
French
Chenipan
From chenille and chenapan
Spanish
Caterpie
Same as English/Japanese name
German
Raupy
From Raupe
Italian
Caterpie
Same as English/Japanese name
Korean
캐터피 Caterpie
Transcription of Japanese name
Mandarin Chinese
綠毛蟲 / 绿毛虫 Lǜmáochóng
From 綠 / 绿 lǜ and 毛毛蟲 / 毛毛虫 máomáochóng
Cantonese Chinese
綠毛蟲 Luhkmòuhchùhng
From 綠 luhk and 毛毛蟲 mòuhmòuhchùhng
Brazilian Portuguese
Caterpie
Same as English/Japanese name
More languages
Bulgarian
Катерпи Katerpi
Transcription as English/Japanese name
Hebrew
קטרפי Caterpy
Transcription of English name
Hindi
कैटरपी Caterpie
Transcription of English/Japanese name
Lithuanian
Katerpis
From English name
Russian
Катерпи Katerpi
Transcription of English/Japanese name
Thai
คาเตอร์ปี Khatoepi
Transcription of Japanese name
Related articles
Ash's Caterpie
Goh's Caterpie
Kitty
Caterpie (Red and Blue Rescue Team)
References
↑Sleep Style Dex
↑Caterpie's Big Dilemma and Butterfree and Me!
↑Nintendo Dream Volume 84, February/March 2003 (English translation written by Jacob Newcomb and commissioned by Dr. Lava)
External links
←
#0009: Blastoise
Pokémon
#0011: Metapod
→
This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.