A caterpillar is the larval stage of a butterfly, moth, or skipper—not a separate kind of worm. After feeding, growing, and molting through several stages, it becomes a pupa and eventually emerges as an adult butterfly or moth. Some of the most unusual caterpillars become familiar butterflies such as monarchs and swallowtails; others transform into spectacular moths, including cecropia silkmoths, regal moths, hawkmoths, and flannel moths.
Appearance alone rarely tells you which adult is coming. The host plant, location, season, behavior, and eventually the pupa or adult may all be needed for a reliable identification. If a caterpillar is fuzzy, brightly colored, or spiny, observe it without touching it.
What is a caterpillar?
A true caterpillar is the larva of a butterfly, moth, or skipper. These insects undergo complete metamorphosis, passing through four major stages:
- Egg: The embryo develops inside an egg laid on or near a suitable food plant.
- Larva: The caterpillar eats, grows, and molts.
- Pupa: The insect reorganizes its body and develops adult wings and reproductive structures.
- Adult: The butterfly or moth disperses, mates, and lays eggs.
The caterpillar stage is mainly a feeding and growth stage, while the adult stage is primarily concerned with dispersal and reproduction. A caterpillar may look nothing like the adult it becomes because its body is built for eating rather than flying.
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Most caterpillars molt several times. The period between two molts is called an instar. A species may change color, pattern, body shape, and even behavior dramatically from one instar to the next, so a photograph of a young larva may look unrelated to a photograph of the final-stage caterpillar.
Caterpillars have three pairs of true legs on the thorax. Most also have fleshy abdominal legs called prolegs, which help them grip leaves and move across surfaces. The number and arrangement of prolegs can help distinguish a caterpillar from another kind of insect larva.
Caterpillar or sawfly larva? Check before you identify it
Gardeners sometimes mistake sawfly larvae for caterpillars. Both can chew leaves, but they grow into very different adult insects. A butterfly or moth caterpillar becomes a lepidopteran; a sawfly larva becomes a wasp-like insect.
As a general identification clue, butterfly and moth caterpillars usually have two or five pairs of abdominal prolegs, with three pairs being uncommon. Sawfly larvae generally have six to ten pairs. Counting legs can be difficult in a photograph, so also consider the host plant, body texture, head shape, and regional records. The University of Minnesota Extension guide to caterpillars and its sawfly guide provide useful comparisons.
Chrysalis, cocoon, and pupa are not the same thing
Pupa is the biological stage between larva and adult. A chrysalis is the exposed pupa of a butterfly. A cocoon is a protective silk covering spun by many moth caterpillars around their pupa.
That means a cocoon is not the pupa itself, and not every moth spins a conventional cocoon. Some moths pupate in soil, leaf litter, or another protected shelter. A hickory horned devil, for example, burrows into the ground before becoming a regal moth, while a tomato hornworm forms a pupa in a soil burrow. Butterflies generally form exposed chrysalises, but the simple rule that butterflies make chrysalises and moths make cocoons has exceptions.
Quick guide: remarkable caterpillars and their adult forms
| Larval form | Scientific name | Adult form | Key clue | Safety or identification note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monarch caterpillar | Danaus plexippus | Monarch butterfly | Milkweed diet, black-and-white bands, yellow spots | Milkweed compounds make it distasteful to many predators; avoid generalizing this to every population or predator. |
| Spicebush swallowtail | Papilio troilus | Spicebush swallowtail butterfly | Bird-dropping disguise when young; large eyespots and an osmeterium when mature | Look on spicebush or sassafras in eastern and southeastern North America. |
| Zebra longwing | Heliconius charithonia | Zebra longwing butterfly | White larva with black spots and branched spines | Feeds on passion vines; a year-round resident in southern Florida and Texas. |
| Owl-butterfly larvae | Several Caligo species | Owl butterflies | Large tropical caterpillars that become butterflies with owl-like eyespots | This is a group, not one species; a photograph needs species-level and geographic confirmation. |
| Hickory horned devil | Citheronia regalis | Regal moth, or royal walnut moth | Huge green larva with flexible horns and spines | Can reach about 5.5 inches (14 cm) and is harmless to people; it pupates underground. |
| Tomato hornworm | Manduca quinquemaculata | Five-spotted hawkmoth | Large green nightshade-feeding larva with a tail horn | Do not confuse it with the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta. |
| Puss caterpillar | Megalopyge opercularis | Southern flannel moth | Looks like a soft tuft of fur | Concealed urticating or venom-delivering hairs make it a do-not-touch species. |
| Saddleback caterpillar | Acharia stimulea, formerly Sibine stimulea | Saddleback caterpillar moth | Green saddle marking with prominent stinging bristles | Avoid contact; older field guides may use the former scientific name. |
| Io moth caterpillar | Automeris io | Io moth | Stinging spines; adults have large eyespots | Young larvae may feed in groups, while older ones are often solitary. Adults do not feed. |
| Banded woolly bear | Pyrrharctia isabella | Isabella tiger moth | Black and reddish-brown bands on a hairy larva | “Woolly bear” is a loose common name used for several species. |
| Hickory tussock | Lophocampa caryae | Hickory tussock moth | White-and-black hairs and tufts | Detachable setae can irritate skin; treat it as an irritant-risk species. |
| Evergreen bagworm | Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis | Bagworm moth | Carries a case made from plant material | Females are wingless and remain in their bags; infestations can seriously damage conifers. |
| Cecropia caterpillar | Hyalophora cecropia | Cecropia silkmoth | Large green larva with colorful tubercles | The adult can have an 11–15 cm wingspan but does not feed. |
| Hag moth, or monkey slug | Phobetron pithecium | Hag moth | Flattened, spiderlike body with lobed, hairy appendages | It is a limacodid moth larva—not a slug or an arachnid—and has irritating hairs. |
Remarkable caterpillars that become butterflies
Monarch caterpillar: a milkweed specialist with chemical protection
The monarch caterpillar, Danaus plexippus, is one of the best-known examples of a larva whose diet shapes its defenses. It feeds exclusively on milkweed during the larval stage. Many milkweed species contain cardiac glycosides, which the caterpillar can acquire and retain. These compounds make monarchs distasteful or toxic to some vertebrate predators; “toxic to some predators” is more accurate than saying every monarch is deadly.
Monarchs pass through five larval instars. In normal summer conditions, eggs generally hatch in about three to five days, the larval stage lasts roughly nine to fourteen days, and the chrysalis stage lasts about eight to fifteen days. Temperature and other conditions can change those timings, so they are not a universal timetable for every monarch or location. The Monarch Joint Venture life-cycle guide provides the detailed stages and timing.
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Spicebush swallowtail: a bird dropping that becomes a butterfly
Young Papilio troilus larvae use a remarkably effective disguise. Their dark, mottled early instars resemble bird droppings resting on a leaf. As they grow, later instars become green and develop large spots that look like eyes. When disturbed, the caterpillar can extend an osmeterium, a forked defensive organ behind the head that releases an unpleasant odor.
Spicebush swallowtail caterpillars are especially associated with spicebush and sassafras. The combination of host plant and appearance is much more useful than color alone when identifying one. Their eyespots may suggest a snake, but that is a defensive resemblance—not proof that every predator interprets the caterpillar as a snake. The National Park Service description of swallowtail adaptations illustrates the bird-dropping disguise and osmeterium.
Zebra longwing: a spiny larva with a warning-colored adult
The zebra longwing, Heliconius charithonia, has a white caterpillar marked with black spots and branched spines. It feeds on passion vines and later becomes a black-and-yellow-striped butterfly. The adult is a year-round resident in southern Florida and Texas and may wander farther north during warm periods.
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This is a useful reminder that spines do not automatically mean a caterpillar is dangerous to people. They can function as protection from predators without delivering a sting. The species’ conspicuous adult pattern is also part of its defensive biology. See the Florida Museum’s zebra longwing profile for its host plant and life history.
Owl-butterfly larvae: dramatic eyespots at the other end of metamorphosis
Several tropical species in the genus Caligo are called owl butterflies because their adult hindwings carry large eyespots. Their caterpillars are also striking, but “owl-butterfly caterpillar” does not identify one species. A photograph should be paired with a country or region, host plant, and species-level reference before a precise name is assigned.
The eyespots belong to the adult stage, not necessarily the larva. This is a good example of why the adult transformation can be more surprising than the caterpillar itself.
Remarkable caterpillars that become moths
Hickory horned devil: intimidating horns, harmless larva
The hickory horned devil, Citheronia regalis, is among the largest caterpillars encountered in North America. It can reach approximately 5.5 inches (14 cm) and has large, flexible-looking horns and additional spines. Despite its threatening appearance, its horns are not venomous, and the caterpillar is harmless to people.
Its adult form is the regal moth, also called the royal walnut moth. The caterpillar does not form a typical exposed cocoon; it burrows into soil to pupate. The Virginia Cooperative Extension account is a useful source for its size, harmless spines, adult identity, and underground pupation.
Tomato hornworm: the garden pest that becomes a hawkmoth
The tomato hornworm, Manduca quinquemaculata, is a large green caterpillar with a tail horn. It feeds on tomato, potato, tobacco, and other plants in the nightshade family and can remove a surprising amount of foliage quickly. Its adult form is the five-spotted hawkmoth, whose wingspan is approximately 9–13.5 cm.
The horn itself is a visual defense and does not mean the caterpillar is venomous. Gardeners should distinguish this species from the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, which becomes the Carolina sphinx moth. The Butterflies and Moths of North America species profile and University of Georgia comparison cover the two common garden hornworms.
Puss caterpillar: furry-looking but medically important
The southern flannel moth caterpillar, Megalopyge opercularis, is commonly called a puss caterpillar. It may look like a small tuft of fur, but hidden defensive hairs beneath that appearance can cause a painful reaction on contact. This is one of the clearest examples of why softness and safety should not be treated as synonyms.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteIts documented range extends from Maryland south to Florida and west to Missouri and Texas, with occasional strays farther north. In parts of its range, caterpillars may be present during much of the year. Do not handle one to confirm its identity; use a photograph and host-plant information instead. The Butterflies and Moths of North America profile provides the species and range information.
Saddleback caterpillar: a warning sign in the shape of a green saddle
Acharia stimulea is easy to recognize when its green body, brown-purple center, and bright green “saddle” are visible. The raised bristles around the edge can sting when touched. Older references may list the species as Sibine stimulea, so searching both names can help reconcile older books and websites.
The adult is the saddleback caterpillar moth. Because common names and scientific classifications change over time, use the scientific name when reporting an observation. The BAMONA species record documents the current and former names.
Io moth caterpillar: stinging spines become enormous adult eyespots
The caterpillar of the Io moth, Automeris io, carries clusters of stinging spines. Young larvae may feed together, whereas older caterpillars are more often solitary. After pupation, the adult Io moth has large eyespots that can startle predators. The adult does not feed, so the caterpillar’s appetite and the adult’s short, nonfeeding life are separate parts of the species’ biology.
“Stinging” here describes the larval defense. It should not be used to imply that the adult moth has the same capability. The BAMONA account of Automeris io covers its larval spines, adult eyespots, cocoons, and nonfeeding adult stage.
Banded woolly bear: a tiger moth in a familiar fuzzy package
The banded woolly bear, Pyrrharctia isabella, becomes the Isabella tiger moth. Its black and reddish-brown bands may change in apparent width as the caterpillar grows and molts. It can overwinter as a caterpillar, which is one reason people encounter it moving across paths and roads in autumn.
The familiar idea that the bands predict the severity of the coming winter is folklore, not a reliable forecast. Band patterns reflect factors such as age, molting, and developmental conditions. Also, “woolly bear” is a loose common name used for multiple hairy caterpillars, not a guarantee that every woolly bear is Pyrrharctia isabella. The Iowa State University Extension explanation addresses both the identification problem and the weather folklore.
Hickory tussock: detachable hairs and a silk cocoon
The hickory tussock caterpillar, Lophocampa caryae, has a white-and-black hairy body with tufts that can detach and irritate skin. It later spins a silk cocoon incorporating some of its defensive hairs. That behavior gives the pupa additional protection even though the larva’s appearance changes during metamorphosis.
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It is more precise to describe this species as an irritant-risk caterpillar than to label every hairy tussock as dangerously venomous. The Penn State Extension guide provides its adult identity and safety information.
Bagworm: a caterpillar disguised as a piece of vegetation
The common evergreen bagworm, Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis, builds and carries a case from bits of leaves, twigs, and other plant material. The case can make the animal look like a moving piece of the plant rather than an insect larva. Bagworms are still caterpillars even though the case hides much of the body.
The adult stage has an unusual difference between the sexes. Females are wingless and remain in their cases, while males emerge as winged moths. A female may lay approximately 200–1,000 eggs inside her bag. In central Maryland, eggs typically hatch in May, caterpillars finish growing in August or early September, and adults emerge in late summer; those dates are local rather than a national calendar.
Heavy infestations can seriously damage or kill conifers. The University of Maryland Extension bagworm guide explains the case, life cycle, egg numbers, timing, and plant damage.
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Cecropia caterpillar: a giant larva becomes a giant silkmoth
The cecropia caterpillar, Hyalophora cecropia, has a large green body decorated with colorful tubercles. It becomes the cecropia silkmoth, one of North America’s most conspicuous large moths, with an approximate wingspan of 11–15 cm.
The adult’s size can create a misleading impression about its appetite. Cecropia adults do not feed; the energy needed for adult reproduction is accumulated during the larval stage. This is also why a large adult moth should not automatically be described as a pollinator. Some moths feed on nectar or pollen, some use other food sources, and some do not feed at all. The BAMONA cecropia profile documents the larva, adult, size, and nonfeeding adult stage.
Hag moth or monkey slug: a larva that looks like an animal from another group
The hag moth larva, Phobetron pithecium, is also called a monkey slug. Its flattened body has lobed, hairy appendages that can make it look spiderlike or sluglike. It is neither: it is a limacodid moth larva, part of the group commonly called slug caterpillar moths.
Its unusual silhouette is a defense through appearance, while its hairs can also irritate. The adult is the hag moth. The BAMONA profile and Limacodidae taxonomy page help place this strange-looking larva in the moth family tree.
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- Pocket Guide to Insects of North America
- Pocket Guide to Insects of North America
- National Geographic Maps
Why caterpillars look so different
Remarkable caterpillar features are not random decorations. They generally serve one or more survival functions:
- Camouflage: A larva may match leaves, bark, twigs, or bird droppings. Camouflage is most effective when combined with stillness, feeding behavior, and the right background.
- Mimicry: Eyespots, head markings, and defensive postures may suggest a snake or another predator. The resemblance can startle or deter an attacker, even if the predator does not literally mistake the caterpillar for that animal.
- Warning coloration: Bright colors may advertise distastefulness, toxicity, or spines. A warning pattern is a signal, not a guarantee that the species is dangerous to humans.
- Mechanical defenses: Hairs, barbs, spines, horns, cases, and silk shelters can make a caterpillar difficult to swallow or handle.
- Chemical defenses: Some caterpillars acquire defensive chemicals from their host plants. Monarchs and milkweed-derived cardiac glycosides are a well-known example. Other larvae use specialized structures or irritating hairs to deliver or release defensive substances.
- Behavior: Caterpillars may drop from a leaf, thrash, feed at night, hide in rolled leaves, live inside a case, or feed in groups. Behavior can be as informative as color.
- Host-plant specialization: Many larvae can survive only on particular plant species or plant families. Adults may have a much broader diet—or may not feed at all.
A defense that works for a caterpillar may disappear at the adult stage. Conversely, an adult may retain chemicals gathered as a larva. It is therefore unsafe to assume that a harmless adult moth had a harmless larva, or that a defended caterpillar produces an equally defended adult.
How to identify a caterpillar without harming yourself or it
- Do not touch it first. Be especially cautious with fuzzy, brightly colored, bristly, or heavily spined larvae.
- Photograph the side and top. Include the head, tail, legs, markings, and the full body. Take photographs from a safe distance if necessary.
- Record the exact location and date. Country, state or province, county, town, and habitat can eliminate many lookalikes.
- Photograph the whole plant. A close-up of a leaf is useful, but the tree, shrub, vine, or crop may be the strongest clue.
- Note what it was doing. Was it feeding, resting, dropping on silk, walking on the ground, carrying a case, hiding in a rolled leaf, or living in a group?
- Estimate its length. A ruler beside the caterpillar is better than a hand for scale, particularly when the species may sting.
- Record structural details. Note hairs, branched spines, horns, eyespots, stripes, prolegs, head shape, and whether the body is flattened or sluglike.
- Rule out a sawfly larva. Proleg number is a useful clue, but do not rely on it alone.
- Check a regional source. Use a regional butterfly-and-moth database, university extension service, museum, or local naturalist group. A photograph alone often cannot identify a larva confidently.
The host plant is particularly valuable. Examples include monarchs on milkweed, spicebush swallowtails on spicebush or sassafras, tomato hornworms on nightshades, bagworms on conifers and other woody plants, and zebra longwings on passion vines. Even then, identification can remain uncertain because related species may share plants and caterpillars change appearance as they age.
There is no universal caterpillar feature that reliably separates a future butterfly from a future moth. The adult is easier to distinguish: butterfly antennae generally end in clubs, while moth antennae lack clubbed tips and may be simple, feathery, or otherwise varied. For a regional starting point, BAMONA’s identification resources also illustrate why location and life stage matter.
Safety: which caterpillars should you avoid?
MedlinePlus warns that brightly colored caterpillars with spines, bristles, or a fuzzy appearance may be venomous or irritating. The safest rule for an unknown specimen is simple: observe, photograph, and identify without handling it. If you need to move one from a walkway, use a container or stiff card without touching the animal, and wash the tool afterward.
Do not use the opposite shortcut either. The hickory horned devil looks dangerous but is harmless to people, while the soft-looking puss caterpillar can cause a painful reaction. “Fuzzy equals dangerous” and “horned equals harmless” are both unreliable rules. Risk can vary with species, developmental stage, geographic population, amount of contact, and individual sensitivity.
What to do after contact
For general U.S. first-aid guidance after contact with irritating caterpillar hairs:
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- Wash the area with soap and water.
- Apply ice wrapped in cloth intermittently for pain and swelling.
- If hairs enter the eye, flush immediately with plenty of water and obtain medical help.
- Seek urgent care for breathing difficulty, wheezing, widespread swelling, severe allergic symptoms, eye exposure, or ingestion.
- In the United States, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. For a dog or cat that mouths, eats, or rubs against a suspicious caterpillar, contact a veterinarian promptly and explain what happened. Human first-aid instructions should not be assumed to be appropriate for pets.
For species-specific medical context, see MedlinePlus guidance on caterpillar exposure. Avoid unsupported labels such as “the most venomous caterpillar”: medical severity depends on the species, exposure, and person affected.
Common misconceptions about caterpillars
Not every caterpillar becomes a butterfly
Every true caterpillar becomes a moth, butterfly, or skipper, but moths make up many of the most visually remarkable examples. Larval color and body shape cannot reliably predict which branch it belongs to.
A cocoon is not a chrysalis
A chrysalis is an exposed butterfly pupa. A cocoon is silk surrounding the pupa of many moths. Some moths use soil or another shelter instead of spinning a conventional cocoon.
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“Woolly bear” does not identify one species
The name is used loosely for multiple hairy larvae. To identify the banded woolly bear that becomes the Isabella tiger moth, use Pyrrharctia isabella, along with location and other features.
Horns do not automatically mean venom
The tomato hornworm’s tail horn is not a reason to assume it can sting. The hickory horned devil’s imposing horns are also harmless to people. Unknown spiny larvae should still be left alone because other species do have irritating or venom-delivering structures.
Adult beauty does not prove adult pollination
Some moths and butterflies visit flowers, but not all adults feed. Cecropia and Io moth adults do not feed. A caterpillar’s host plant also does not establish what ecological role the adult plays.
A missing adult may be a parasitoid, not a misidentification
A caterpillar or pupa may be attacked by a parasitoid wasp or tachinid fly. If a small fly or wasp emerges from a container instead of the expected butterfly or moth, the original identification may still have been correct; the larva or pupa may have been parasitized. The BAMONA rearing guidance explains this common outcome.
Can you raise a caterpillar to see what it becomes?
Yes, raising a caterpillar can be an excellent way to connect a larva with its adult form, but it requires the correct host plant and clean, well-ventilated conditions. It is not a good project for an unidentified stinging species, and collecting rules vary by location and species.
A basic observation setup
- Use a ventilated container that prevents escape but allows air movement.
- Provide fresh leaves from the plant on which the caterpillar was feeding. Replace them as needed, often daily.
- Keep the enclosure clean and relatively dry. Dry paper towels help absorb moisture and reduce mold.
- Add a pencil-size twig or another suitable structure for species that attach to vegetation before pupating.
- Remove wilted leaves, frass, and mold promptly.
- Do not mix species or collect from different locations in one enclosure.
- Do not collect or ship species where permits or conservation rules prohibit it.
- Release only when it is legal and only where the specimen’s species and origin are known.
Some larvae need soil or leaf litter rather than a twig, so research the species before changing its habitat. Never feed a caterpillar a random plant because it looks similar to its host; the wrong plant can kill it or prevent normal development.
With monarchs, conservation groups generally favor creating milkweed and nectar habitat over casually removing wild individuals for home rearing. They also discourage moving or shipping monarchs across state lines without understanding the relevant guidance. See the Monarch Joint Venture migration FAQ.
What makes a caterpillar remarkable?
“Remarkable caterpillar” is an editorial description, not a formal biological category. A larva may earn the description because it is exceptionally large, resembles a bird dropping or snake, carries a portable case, uses plant-derived chemicals, stings, lives communally, specializes on an unusual plant, or becomes an adult that looks completely unrelated to it.
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The most reliable examples combine a striking appearance with something that can be checked: a documented adult form, a known host plant, a regional record, a clear defense, or an unusual life-history trait. A dramatic photograph by itself is not enough. It might show an early instar, a regional form, a related species, or a sawfly larva rather than a caterpillar.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell whether a caterpillar will become a butterfly or a moth?
Usually you cannot tell reliably from the caterpillar alone. Record the location, host plant, season, body features, and behavior, then compare the observation with a regional database or extension resource. The adult’s antennae are more useful: butterfly antennae generally have clubbed tips, while moth antennae do not.
Are all fuzzy caterpillars dangerous?
No, but an unknown fuzzy, brightly colored, or spiny caterpillar should not be touched. Some, such as the hickory horned devil, are harmless, while others, including the puss caterpillar and several tussock larvae, can irritate or injure skin.
Why did a fly or wasp emerge instead of the butterfly or moth I expected?
The caterpillar or pupa may have been parasitized. Tachinid flies and parasitoid wasps can develop inside or on a caterpillar and emerge before the intended adult insect. That outcome does not necessarily mean the caterpillar was misidentified.
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You can sometimes raise one temporarily for observation, provided you can supply its correct fresh host plant, ventilation, cleanliness, and an appropriate pupation site. Avoid handling stinging species, follow local collection rules, and do not move or release an insect where it did not originate.
The Bottom Line
Caterpillars are temporary larval forms, and their astonishing variety reflects strategies for feeding, hiding, warning predators, and surviving until metamorphosis. A hickory horned devil becomes a regal moth, a monarch caterpillar becomes a monarch butterfly, and a case-carrying bagworm becomes a moth with wingless females. For a caterpillar in your garden, photograph it, record its host plant and location, check for sawfly features, and never handle a fuzzy or spiny specimen unless its identity and safety are established.
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