no it's not caterpillars. I had about 30 or 40 caterpillars and caught them early . and the plant recovered. I had white flies a few years ago and the whole buds died. that was an indoor grow. indoors white flies can devastate plants. outdoors it's easier to keep their numbers down if it's hot. here it's hot. a few years ago I had a mite infestation indoors. I replanted outdoors and in a week the mites left. it was averaging 110 degrees. same thing with thrips and fungus nats. I think I have had all the pests that one could have. I have shut down two grows because of pests. i'm much more aware now and can tell when plants are in trouble. I just don't know what kind of trouble this time. maybe no trouble at all. the leaves look healthy.