Banded Woolly Bear Caterpillar

Isabella Tiger Moth

Banded Woolly Bears are the caterpillars of Isabella Tiger Moths. They have a fuzzy body, black at either end and rusty red in the middle. They are a familiar sight in autumn as they move around, looking for a sheltered spot to overwinter.

You may be less familiar with the adult moths, which are orange-yellow to yellowish-brown with black dots down their upper body.

Banded Woolly Bears are common across grasslands and urban areas in southern Canada and the United States. The caterpillars feed on maple (Manitoba Maple) and Elm trees, grasses, sunflowers, and clover.

Did you know? The width of the caterpillar's red band is said to predict the severity of the coming winter, but this isn't the case. The red band lengthens as the caterpillar matures, while wetter weather lengthens the black bands.

See Also: Admiral Butterfly, Azure Butterfly, Cabbage White, Clouded Sulphur, Compton Tortoiseshell, Great Spangled Fritillary, Hawk Moth, Monarch Butterfly, Mourning Cloak, Painted Lady, Tent Caterpillar, Tiger Swallowtail

Easy - numerous and usually easy to spot in the habitats listed at the appropriate time of year.

Grasslands are large open areas covered with grasses. They have very few trees or shrubs. This habitat includes prairies and tundra.

Urban areas have a large population within a defined area. This includes villages, towns, and cities.