Does it really take that long for a catipiller to hatche?

Yes, it can take several weeks to months for a caterpillar to hatch, depending on the species and environmental conditions. After hatching from an egg, a caterpillar goes through multiple molts before entering the pupal stage, which can also vary in duration. Factors such as temperature and food availability can influence the overall time it takes for a caterpillar to develop into a butterfly or moth.