Cotton is a type of fabric that is made from the soft, fluffy fibers that grow around the seeds of the cotton plant. The plant is a member of the mallow family, which includes hibiscus, okra, and cocoa. Cotton was first domesticated in India over 5,000 years ago, and it has been used to make clothing and other textiles ever since.
One type of insect that is often confused with cotton is the caterpillar of the gypsy moth. These caterpillars are about an inch long and are covered in dense hairs that resemble cotton fibers. The caterpillars are born white but they eventually turn brown or black as they mature. Gypsy moth caterpillars are considered to be a serious pest because they can strip trees and shrubs of their leaves, causing severe damage to plants.