Caterpie (Pokémon)

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).

Caterpie Worm 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
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" 0.30 m Caterpie 0'0" 0 m {{{form2}}} 0'0" 0 m {{{form3}}} 0'0" 0 m {{{form4}}}	Weight 6.4 lbs. 2.90 kg Caterpie 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form2}}} 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form3}}} 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form4}}}
Mega Stone [[|]] [[|]]
Base experience yield 53 Gen. I-IV Unknown IV 39 V+	Leveling rate Medium Fast
EV yield Total: 1 Caterpie 1 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed
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.

Biology

Caterpie emitting a terrible stench

Caterpie is an insect Pokémon that resembles a green caterpillar with a yellow underside and teardrop-shaped tail. There are yellow ring-shaped markings down the sides of its segmented body, which 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 grows and develops over time, it will shed its skin many times before finally cocooning itself in thick silk. It can also spit this silk in order to entangle foes as seen in the anime. It has a voracious appetite, which drives it to eat a hundred leaves a day. It will even eat leaves bigger than itself. According to Pokémon Adventures, its favorite food is the Vermilion flower. Caterpie lives in temperate forests and jungles.

In the anime

Main series

Caterpie in the anime

Major appearances

Ash's Caterpie

Caterpie debuted in Pokémon Emergency!, where Ash encountered it in Viridian Forest. He caught it in Ash Catches a Pokémon, making Caterpie the first Pokémon he caught in the wild. It 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 the main 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!.

In JN135, a Caterpie appeared during a flashback.

In JN139, a Caterpie appeared in a fantasy.

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.

In the manga

Caterpie in Pokémon Adventures

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 Adventures

Main article: Kitty

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 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.

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 Gotta Catch 'Em All

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 Journeys: The Series

Goh caught a Caterpie in Battle Frontier Challenge: The Flute Cup!, just like he does in the anime.

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 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?!.

In the TCG

Main article: Caterpie (TCG)

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(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 antennae 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 antennae on its head to drive away enemies.

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 Kalos Central #023 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 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 #— This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Generation IX.

File:Pokedex Image Caterpie SM.png

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 ParkMorningDay National Park (Bug-Catching Contest)TuThSa Routes 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 ParkMorningDay National Park (Bug-Catching Contest)TuThSa Ilex 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 ForestMorningDay National Park (Bug-Catching Contest)TuThSa Ilex 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 Meadow Lush Jungle (SOS Battle) Let's Go Pikachu Let's Go Eevee Route 2, Viridian Forest

Generation VIII Sword Shield Route 1 Bridge 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

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

Generation VI Battle Trozei Safari Jungle: Stage 2Su Shuffle Event: Pokémon Safari (20th release) Rumble World Fairy Land: Pixie Glen (All Areas), Origin Hideaway: Old-Growth Woods (All Areas)

Generation VII Rumble Rush Tutorial, Charizard Sea2019, Pinsir Sea, Butterfree Sea, Bulbasaur Sea, Charizard SeaFinal

Generation VIII New Snap Florio Nature ParkNight, Secret Side PathNight

Held items

Game		Held Item(s)
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:

Damaged normally 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 Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 10.2% Friend Area: Mist-Rise Forest Phrases 51%-100% HP I'll eat lots and grow big. 26%-50% 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 Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 8.2% IQ group: A
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
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.

Evolution

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

For other sprites and images, please see Caterpie images on the Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

• Caterpie was both the first Pokémon to be caught and the first Pokémon to evolve in the anime.
• Caterpie shares its category with Wurmple and Snom. They are known as the Worm Pokémon.
• 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 the anime and in Pokémon Adventures, Caterpie holds the record as the Pokémon who takes the least amount of time to evolve twice, taking only one episode in the anime and one round 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 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.

Origin

Caterpie is based on a caterpillar, perhaps specifically the Asian swallowtail, eastern tiger swallowtail, or spicebush swallowtail due to its green body, yellow eyespots, and red osmeterium. 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.

In other languages

Language Title Meaning Japanese キャタピー Caterpie From キャタピラー kyatapirā 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

More languages Bulgarian Катерпи Katerpi Transcription as English/Japanese name Hebrew קטרפי Caterpy Transcription of English name Hindi कटेरपी 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)

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.