![]() ![]() The abdomen has three black dots on the rear edge of each segment. Their wings are yellow-brown with a series of small, black dots their hind wings are slightly paler and pinkish with gray spots. The moths have a wingspan of 4-5 cm, and are somewhat unremarkable-looking. The “banded” woolly bear caterpillar (distinct from the yellow woolly bear-a different species) is the larval form of the Isabella Tiger Moth. ![]() They are distinguished from the similar larvae of other tiger moths by the uniform length of all of their bristles, rather than having some longer than others. It is, however, the same species these caterpillars also occur in morphs of plain brown, rusty, tan or blonde. That's all there is they just want to sleep for the winter in a dark, sheltered spot.īy springtime, the caterpillar forms a cocoon, and a few weeks later becomes an Isabella tiger moth, which is active at night throughout the summer.This specimen does not immediately resemble the “normal” woolly bear caterpillars, which are black on both ends. ![]() Lastly, the caterpillar travels north, south, east or west in search of a place to curl up and hibernate for the winter. The woolly caterpillar’s coat helps it survive the winter, living through temperatures as low as -90 degrees! As a result, we may see many different color and hair variations each fall that would alter the folklore’s forecast. ![]() So, the coloring and size of the woolly worm tell us about the past, not the future.Ĭaterpillars shed their skins several times before reaching adult size, and their colors change with their age, too. The width of the banding is an indicator of the current or past season’s growth. The better the preceding growing season, the bigger the woolly worm will grow. In North America, there are over 200 species. The caterpillar’s coloring is thought to be based on its age, how long it’s been feeding and its species. The caterpillar can’t predict what Old Man Winter has in store for the upcoming winter season. As much fun as it is to search for the woolly worm each fall, don’t put your bets on it. ![]()
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