【英语时差8,16】毛毛虫与植物

（单词翻译）

 If you have kids, you’ve probably read the children's book The Very Hungry Caterpillar¹ at least five thousand times. If you haven’t had the pleasure, here’s a brief plot summary. A caterpillar hatches from a small, white egg. Extremely hungry, the caterpillar proceeds to eat through several pieces of fruit, an assortment² of junk food, and finally, to clear the palate, a nice green leaf. At the risk of ruining the ending, on the final page the caterpillar turns into a beautiful butterfly. Good plot, great characterization, enticing³ illustrations. But it leaves out the most exciting part–plant-insect warfare⁴. In the real world, some caterpillars⁵ and plants engage in a deadly struggle for survival. We’re talking full-scale battle, involving chemical weapons no less.