the larvae have a tough head and a soft body. they have mouths that are made to chew. some larvae are covered with hairs, or other body extensions. the larvae have three pairs of small legs on the thorax. these legs are called true legs. there are up to five pairs of bigger legs on the abdomen. these legs are called prolegs. lepidopteran larvae can be confused with the larvae of sawflies. the difference between lepidopteran larvae and sawfly larvae is that lepidopteran larvae have tiny hooks on their prolegs. these hooks are called crochets. most larvae are herbivores, but a few are carnivores and detritivores.