Page 579 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Erebidae
DISTRIBUTION Southern Canada, United States, and northern Mexico
HABITAT Forests, temperate rain forests, grasslands, and meadows
HOST PLANTS Various, including grasses, dandelion (Taraxacum spp.), nettle
(Urtica spp.), plantain (Plantago spp.), and dock (Rumex spp.)
NOTE Caterpillar that is equipped with “antifreeze” to survive
cold winters
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated

ADULT WINGSPAN
1¾–2⅛ in (45–55 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
1 ⁄ –2 in (40–50 mm)
PYRRHARCTIA ISABELLA
BANDED WOOLLY BEAR 577

(J. E. SMITH, 1797)

Banded Woolly Bear caterpillars hatch from eggs laid in large
clusters on bark in the fall and then overwinter. In the northern
parts of their range, the larvae can survive freezing temperatures
in winter due to the presence of “antifreeze” chemicals in their
cells. In spring, they become active and start feeding. The adult
moths are on the wing in summer.

The Pyrrharctia isabella caterpillar is known as a woolly bear Actual size
because of its hairy appearance. The hairs are impressive but
are not irritants, although some people may contract a rash
when handling them. The caterpillar’s defense is to curl up when The Banded Woolly Bear caterpillar
disturbed. Folklore has it that the width of the orange band in is orange red in the center, with a black
head, thorax, and posterior segments.
the middle section of the caterpillar is an indicator of the severity It is covered in dense tufts of hairs.
of the coming winter. In fact, it is an indicator of age; the bigger
and therefore older caterpillars have a narrower orange band.
The species is also known as the Isabella Tiger Moth.