Woolly Bears are one of the most recognized caterpillars throughout North America. As they are generally seen in autumn, they symbolize the change of the seasons. In many states, fall festivals are held in their honor.
According to folklore, the severity of the upcoming winter can be predicted by the proportion of black to orange/brown segments. Wider black bands supposedly signify a cold winter ahead, while wider orange/brown bands mean milder weather. There is no basis for this theory, however, as the differential between colors has to do with age. As the caterpillars grow and molt, they become more reddish/brown.
Woolly bears are the caterpillar stage of the Isabella Tiger Moth (Pyrrarctia Isabella). The moths lay their eggs in spring, and the caterpillars hatch and grow throughout summer. Woolly bears feed on a wide variety of herbs and leaves, including asters, birches, clover, corn, elm, maples, and sunflowers. Because they are generalist eaters and don’t depend on just a few plant species to survive, they adapt well and thrive in many different habitats.
When it’s time to hibernate, the caterpillars stop eating and look for places under logs, bark, and rocks to overwinter. Like many insects, they produce natural antifreeze that helps them survive cold temperatures. The following spring, they spin spiny cocoons and grow into adult moths.
Woolly bears are not actually woolly. Their segmented bodies are covered with short, stiff bristles. They are sometimes called ‘hedgehog’ caterpillars because they tend to roll into a tight ball and play dead when threatened.
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