Wow, it sounds like those poor cats must have been desperate and starving, or do you think that is part of their regular food? They were lucky to have some human assistance to get fresh leaves!

Well, I have always said that caterpillars are basically walking plants. They incorporate a lot of the chemicals of the plant in themselves. This probably helps fool predators. Unfortunately it also means that they smell like a leaf to each other. But you are right...EEEWWWW!
-Elisabeth

They gotta do what they gotta do... But it still turns my stomach. It was very disgusting to find.

You better close your eyes, then, if you happen to spot a grown caterpillar in the vicinity of eggs and/or hatchlings! Not uncommon, especially if the food supply is low.

No the eggs and hatchlings are not nearly so gross as them digging into a fresh, gooey, chrysalis. (Although I dont particularly like that either!)