TIGER MOTH/WOOLY BEAR

TIGER MOTH/WOOLY BEAR

Pyrrharctia isabella
(Arctiidae)


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Description
This caterpillar is readily recognized when it is covered with black and and a band of dark orange bristles (A,B). But this band can also be blond or brown (not shown). They can grow up to 2 inches long. They feed on low-growing plants such as grass, dandelion and nettle. The adult (not shown) is a dark brown moth.

 

These caterpillars are common in our two nature centers, usually seen on the ground, often seen crossing paths and roads. These caterpillars overwinter as larvae under leaf litter; they then feed again during the next spring.

 

According to legend, the width of the orange band can be used to predict the severity of the coming winter, with the narrower band indicating a colder winter. But in fact, the orange band gets wider with each molt, becoming widest just before winter.

 

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