Woolly Caterpillar!
October 13th, 2008 by Terri DeBoer under Weather
If you’ve taken a nature walk lately, you have probably noticed black and rust striped caterpillars crawling along the ground! These traditional October crawlers are “Woolly Bear Caterpillars”. The banded creature is actually the larva of the Isabella tiger moth, and often called either the “Woolly Caterpillar” or “Woolly Worm”.
Since the prime time for seeing the Woolly Caterpillar is in October, when our weather is in a time of transition, weather folklore ties the size and color of the bands to the projection of the severity of the winter season to come. Folklore says a bigger rust colored band will mean a warmer winter, but more black indicates a severely cold winter season to come.
In reality, the color and size of the bands is more a function of life-cycle. As for the upcoming winter season, I think the caterpillars aren’t the only creatures who will appreciate having “woolly” coats!
October 13th, 2008 at 8:55 am
Not looking forward to the cold weather. I still have to get my snowblower ready.
October 14th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
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October 15th, 2008 at 7:59 am
who care?
October 15th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Funny story- Watch out for these cute, cuddly, caterpillars! While watching our kids soccer game one decided to crawl up inside my husbands blue jean leg…not knowing what it was he scratched at the tickle…only to end up with a nasty rash down his shin. Doctors said the reaction was not so un-common!
Now he is often teased about the attack of the Woolly bear!
October 15th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
My four year old has a collection of these things in a container. They have names like school, church, store and hospital. One day i heard him say “mom, school is lookin’ good, but church is dead”. bummer.
October 15th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
AWWW!!!! Am I wrong for thinking that is adorably cute?!